Under the new pricing policy services charges for intermittent renewable generation such as wind farms could jump by as much as 120%. Such an increase could see access charges for Alinta’s new $200 million 90MW Geraldton wind farm climb from $2.5 million per year to around $6 million.

In a letter to Energy Minister Eric Ripper, WA Sustainable Energy Association chairman Matthew Prosser said the new policy could scare off new commercial entrants to the state market.

“Western Power’s draft network charges would cause a significant cost increase to renewable generators, making new entry less likely.

“This would ultimately impact on the government’s ability to implement its policy of delivering clean and affordable energy to all West Australian’s.”