Energy demand delays coal closure

The State Government’s transition away from coal power has taken another step, as Unit 6 at Muja C Power Station is slated to be placed into a reserve mode of operation from October 2024.

However, the move goes against the original plan to fully retire Unit 6 by October 2024, as part of the WA Government’s phased transition to retire all State coal-fired power stations by 2030 and meet its net zero emissions target by 2050.

It comes off the back of release by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) of the Statement of Market Opportunities for the Western Australian energy system, which projects the state will need a “significant” increase in the amount of power generated.

As a result, Synergy’s Unit 6 in Collie will be placed on reserve outage mode for the high demand summer months of next year.

During reserve outage mode, AEMO will be able to request, with three days’ notice, that Unit 6 be made available for significant peak demand events.

“Putting Unit 6 at Muja in reserve outage mode will allow us to call on the unit, if needed, during periods of high demand. Energy Minister Bill Johnston said.

“Western Australia has the most remote stand-alone energy system in the world and the supply of reliable electricity to residents is the highest priority.”

The unit will be available from 1 October 2024 until 1 April 2025, not quite a month after the next state election, a fact that pricked up the ears of Shadow Minister for Energy Dr Steve Thomas.

“The cynical timing of the announcement today on the extension of Muja 6 should also ring alarm bells for the entire community” Dr Thomas said.

“Dragging the operational life of the 193 Megawatt unit 6 at Muja to the month after the next state election simply reflects the desperation of the Government that knows that as its transition plans evolves it can’t keep the lights on.

“I think the crisis point for electricity supply is 2027, but the Cook Government is now expecting it two years earlier, and that should concern everyone who plans to turn on a light switch in years to come.”

Western Power has also just announced it has connected 44 new electric vehicle charging stations, as WA’s fleet of EV’s continues to grow.

The Department of Transport’s Western Australian Electric Vehicle Analysis Summary released in June showed a continuing upward trend in EV registrations in WA with a total of 8,622 EVs registered at the end of March, an increase of 1,560 from the previous quarter.

“As the uptake of electric vehicles in WA continues to grow so will demand for fast electric vehicle chargers,” Western Power Executive Manager of Asset Operations Zane Christmas said.

The WA EV Network is set to be fully operational in 2024. Once complete the entire network will give EV drivers access to 98 charging stations across 49 locations.