• About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
Monday, June 16, 2025
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
Home

New electricity reforms for Pilbara

by Lauren Cella
October 7, 2016
in Asset management, Civil Construction, Demand management, Electricity, News, Projects
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Western Australian Government is introducing new rules governing access to the Pilbara’s electricity system to ensure all users are protected, while also encouraging private investment in the expansion of the network.

The new laws follow the release of a report developed by the Pilbara Electricity Infrastructure Project committee, chaired by energy expert Lyndon Rowe, which recommended major changes to the North West Interconnected System (NWIS).

The report recommends the establishment of:

  • Separate and divested ownership of the NWIS electricity network assets currently owned by Horizon Power
  • A light-handed regulatory regime to govern NWIS access, providing protections to users of the network while also encouraging investments in the expansion of the network
  • An independent NWIS system operator to improve the efficiency of system operation.

Western Australian Minister for Energy, Mike Nahan, said the report found the best opportunity for development of the electricity network in the NWIS was through divestment of state ownership in the network assets.

“A privately owned entity would be commercially motivated and agile to provide network connection for mining and energy sector customers as an attractive alternative to stand-alone generation assets,” Mr Nahan said.

Western Australian Minister for Regional Development, Terry Redman, said providing network access to third party power suppliers had the potential to provide material benefits to many commercial and industrial electricity customers in the Pilbara, through access to lower electricity prices.

“This will also provide a much-needed boost to economic development in the region,” Mr Redman said.

The report also found the other two reforms were necessary to support the development of a more dynamic electricity sector in the Pilbara.

“Further investigation and consultation will occur with industry regarding a fit-for-purpose access regime for the NWIS and independent system operator,” Mr Nahan said.

“Both reforms will be progressed regardless of the ultimate decision on the sale of Horizon Power’s Pilbara network assets.”

Related Posts

Access Detection offers specialised training to empower regional councils and water authorities to play a more proactive role in leak detection. Image: Access Detection

Supporting boots on the ground

by Katie Livingston
June 13, 2025

Detecting small water leaks in challenging environments requires a highly skilled technician – and it’s vital that these operators are...

AS4044:2024 sets the benchmark for critical power systems. Image: Century Yuasa

Compliance for critical power

by Katie Livingston
June 13, 2025

As the demand for resilient power solutions grows, ensuring battery charger safety, compliance and reliability for stationary applications is critical....

Inflow and infiltration can be difficult to tackle, but every little bit helps. Image: ISC Services

The flow-on effect

by Katie Livingston
June 13, 2025

Wastewater networks are home to a plethora of assets, often of varying ages and materials, so tackling inflow and infiltration...

Read our magazine

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.
Utility is the title of choice for decision makers at all levels of water and energy utilities, as well as other major players like consulting engineers and first-tier contractors. Utility is integrated across print and online, and explores the biggest news and issues across the utility industry. It is Australia’s only dedicated utility magazine, and covers all areas of the utility sector, including water and sewer, gas, electricity, communications and the NBN.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Utility

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Digital magazine
  • Events
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • News
  • Water
  • Electricity
  • Projects
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment
  • Spotlight
  • Civil Construction
  • Renewable Energy

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited