Gas-Fired Power Station Plan Sparks Concern Amid Renewable Energy Push
A proposal for a massive 870-megawatt gas-fired power station in Western Australia has been quietly released for public comment, just as the state government touts plans to nearly double its renewable energy output in the next five years.
The Keralup Energy Hub, developed by energy giant APA, would be the state's largest power station, located 75 kilometers south of Perth. The facility would comprise a 210-megawatt bio-fertiliser production facility and a 660-megawatt gas-fired power plant that would connect to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), WA's main electricity grid.
The proposal comes as the state government warns that energy prices for WA businesses could jump 89 per cent by 2032 without a significant increase in renewable energy generation. Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the government aims to make WA a "renewable energy powerhouse," with solar, wind, and battery power playing key roles in meeting the state's future energy needs.
However, the WA Greens have expressed concerns about the proposed gas-fired power station, citing its potential "shocking climate consequences." The party's spokesperson, Sophie McNeill, also pointed out that other parts of the state, such as the North West, are lagging behind in renewable energy adoption, with a mere 2 per cent of the region's energy coming from renewable sources.
The government has also launched a program to support local manufacturers in installing solar and battery systems, and upgrading equipment, with low-interest loans of up to $15 million available. The push for renewable energy is crucial to WA's goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in line with the federal target.
