COLLIE’S Just Transition is “ahead of the curve”, according to Energy Policy WA deputy director general, co-ordinator of energy, Jai Thomas.
Ahead of a community information evening next week, Mr Thomas told the Bulletin that while there is still a lot of work ahead, the South West is well placed according to transition timelines.
Collie’s respective Synergy and Neoen battery projects will play a key role in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), Mr Thomas said.
“The batteries are incredibly important,” he said.
“They help us capture the excess renewables that we already have, rooftop solar and wind, and store it for later, to use it particularly when it’s needed.
“They’re also really fast to respond.”
Renewables account for around 36 percent of SWIS generation capacity, compared to around 30 percent for coal, Mr Thomas said.
As demand continues to grow, it will not just be about replacing coal, but also scaling up renewable capacity to meet this demand, he added.
“It puts an emphasis on the new renewable energy and battery storage investments that both the state and private sector are making,” Mr Thomas said.
Mr Thomas believes there will be no role for nuclear in the future SWIS energy mix.
“The reality is the type of nuclear that is contemplated for Collie, small modular reactors, doesn’t really exist in a mainstream sense now,” he said.
“With that in mind, it’s probably a 2040 or 2045 proposition for South West WA.
“From my perspective, the focus should really be on the projects this decade that get us out of coal.”
The information evening will be held on Wednesday, November 20, at the Collie Mineworkers’ Institute, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.