The Electricity Industry Amendment (Distributed Energy Resources) Bill 2023, introduced to Parliament this week, aims to provide a flexible, responsive, and future-focused regulatory framework in Western Australia.
Amendments will be made to support the uptake of new technologies – such as rooftop solar and battery storage – to support the WA Government’s commitment to net zero by 2050.
The pace of Western Australia’s unprecedented energy transformation is changing the way we produce, store, and consume electricity, however, the primary legislation governing WA’s electricity sector is outdated and nearly 20 years old.
The Bill introduces a State Electricity Objective, which will provide a unifying theme for the electricity sector. Decision-makers will have to consider the environment, emissions, and price, along with reliability, in promoting the long-term interests of WA energy consumers.
This Bill amends the Electricity Industry Act 2004 to provide clarity, and remove duplication, by consolidating the rules and codes into one – the Electricity System and Market Rules.
It will also enable new technologies to support and participate in the power system.
The legislation was developed with industry and consumer representatives, and aims to provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for all Western Australians.
Energy Minister Bill Johnston said the amendments will modernise governance arrangements, to keep pace with an electricity industry, that is accelerating towards a low-emissions future.
“A new electricity objective will empower decision-makers to consider the energy trilemma – sustainability, reliability and affordability, ensuring that decisions are made for the long-term interest of all Western Australians.
“The amendments will future-proof the existing governance framework, by providing provisions to better manage and incorporate rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles.”