Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson backs in fossil fuel as part of transition to renewables

Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has left the door open for a new gas-fired power station in WA to back up renewables, as the Government moves to shut down Synergy’s coal-fired power stations by 2030.

With the newly re-elected Cook Government moving ahead with a pre-election promise to shift to renewables in five short years, there is growing speculation a new gas-fired power station — either built by the private sector or Government — could also be on the cards to help power homes and businesses when solar, wind and batteries can’t.

“Gas is going to be needed for security and reliability in the system going forward up to 2030 and beyond,” Ms Sanderson told The Sunday Times. “We are not ruling anything in or out at this point. We are also monitoring emerging technologies.

“We are looking actively at what’s available, including gas.

“But our focus is on increasing the amount of renewables in the system and delivering the transmission that is required to connect those renewables.

“Security and reliability and affordability are the key principles that we need to achieve, and that mix is renewable energy with gas a firming fuel.”

Ms Sanderson is a political force within WA politics.

She almost became Premier when Mark McGowan pulled the pin in 2023, but caucus eventually voted for Mr Cook as Mr McGowan’s replacement.

“Caucus made the right decision,” she says. “He (Roger Cook) has been an outstanding leader. He has taken us to a record election win and articulated a strong future for Western Australia.”

Being thrust into the key portfolios of Energy and Decarbonisation, Manufacturing, Skills and TAFE in a Cabinet reshuffle after the March election adds to an already impressive CV which also boasts being a former Health Minister.

“He (Mr Cook) has entrusted me with his two signature policies (move to renewables and Made in WA) and I’m really grateful for that trust,” Ms Sanderson said.

“I don’t take it lightly. We have a strong working relationship, and a lot of trust between us.”

She disputes suggestions she asked to be moved from the demanding health portfolio.

“I didn’t ask to leave health,” she said. “I said to the Premier that I would continue to be in health if that was what he chose, but that I would serve in any way that he wanted me to.”

She admits though, she is “sleeping better” since being shifted into Energy, Manufacturing, Skills and TAFE.

“It (health) is a portfolio that never leaves you,” she said. “There is no portfolio that impacts people more — from the die they are born till their last breath. But that’s also why its such a great job.

“While there are days that are incredibly challenging and difficult (in health) — particularly when you are meeting with parents who have had a really difficult time and are grieving — there are opportunities to make a real impact, and that’s one of the great things about it.”

Under Mr McGowan and former Energy Minister Bill Johnston, the Labor Government announced in 2022 plans to shut all Synergy-owned and operated coal-fired power stations and replace them with renewables.

Under that plan, the Collie Power Station — supplying 340 megawatts of generation in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) that powers WA from Kalbarri to Albany and Kalgoorlie to the east — would shut in 2027.

The Muja power station’s C and D units — which, combined, currently supply the power grid with 654MW — will close by 2029-30.

Removing 1000MW of coal-generated power from the grid — and uncertainty surrounding the future of the privately owned 434-megawatt Bluewater coal-fired power station — has WA Liberals questioning whether the 2030 renewables plan is achievable.

“The State Government’s current energy plan simply won’t work. It’s underfunded and about to run out of time,” Opposition energy spokesman Steve Mr Thomas said.

“There is not enough generation, transmission or distribution capacity in the current Government plan to fulfil its first and primary obligation of providing enough affordable energy for homes and businesses.

“I have said repeatedly in recent years that the Labor Government’s uncertain and incomplete plan for energy transition will fail if it is not underpinned by an additional 300 Megawatts of gas-fired generation.”

But Ms Sanderson is adamant WA will be ready to be powered by renewables — and gas — by 2030.

“I’ve never been afraid of a challenge,” she said. “But this is also a massive opportunity. This is not only an energy transition. It’s an economic transition for Western Australia.

“This is the next LNG. This is the next turning point for our economy.”

The Minister says, to date, $6.4 billion has been either spent or budgeted towards transmission and renewable energy projects, including batteries.

Ms Sanderson said renewable energy already supplied an estimated 38 per cent of SWIS demand in 2024, compared to just 4 per cent in 2009.

Figures supplied by Ms Sanderson’s office show renewable energy projects mooted for WA from 2025-2030 would supply the State with an additional 9850MW of power — if they all come to fruition.

“We have demonstrated since 2022, that as we are transitioning the system, that we have managed to do that in a sensible and planned transition,” she said.

“We have got both hands on the wheel, and we are managing the projects that are coming into the system to provide that generation.

“The Independent Market Operator has indicated that we have significant battery storage on the system, that we’ve got a good pipeline of renewable energy generation coming into the system.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that we maintain energy reliability and security, whilst meeting the growing demand of industry and residents.

“We don’t just want to keep the lights on. We want to make sure that industry is able to decarbonise as well, within the SWIS.”

Despite the move to renewables, the WA Government has yet to legislate a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Ms Sanderson said work was being undertaken “to set a credible pathway to net zero by 2050”.

“As the Commonwealth regulates greenhouse gas emissions, the State Government is reviewing the legislation that was introduced in the last term and working through levers available to set a credible pathway to net zero by 2050,” she said.

Although Roger Cook is adamant he will contest the next election as Premier, within political circles there is speculation he will pull the pin before the 2029 poll.

Ms Sanderson and Treasurer and deputy leader Rita Saffioti are seen as the two main contenders for the top job.

Ms Sanderson dispute suggestions she and Ms Saffioti are political enemies.

“I like working with Rita and I really respect her. I’ve enjoyed working with Rita, particularly over the last few months in this portfolio,” Ms Sanderson said.

“She is an excellent Treasurer, and she’s got a really ambitious manufacturing program in transport, and we will be working really closely together to deliver on the Premier’s priorities.”

Asked whether she still harbours premiership ambitions, Ms Sanderson said: “I want Roger to be (a long-term) Premier.”