State Government attacked over Binningup desalination plant renewable energy and carbon offset “failure”

South West Liberal MLC Steve Thomas attacked the State Government over its “failure” to meet environmental conditions for the southern seawater desalination plant in Binningup. The Water Corporation is required to source the plant’s electricity from non-fossil fuel sources as part of its 2009 approval. If it cannot meet the requirement, the government-owned entity is required to purchase carbon credits or agree to a Department of Water and Environmental Regulation-supported alternative to offset the emissions. Data tabled in State Parliament earlier this month revealed the plant has run on 100 per cent renewable energy in only one out of the last six financial years, operating on an average of 69 per cent renewables between 2017-18 and 2022-23. At the lowest point in 2020-21, only 45 per cent of electricity used at the plant was from renewable energy sources. It was powered by 98 per cent green electricity last financial year. Further questioning by Mr Thomas revealed no carbon credits had been purchased over the period. The shadow energy minister described the result as “embarrassing”. “This leaves the Government both red-faced, and facing a backlog of carbon credits they will need to purchase to meet their EPA obligations,” Mr Thomas said. “This failure will cost the State tens of millions of dollars.” A State Government spokesperson blamed higher water demand and a “shortfall” in renewable energy generation for the failure of the plant to run on 100 per cent renewable energy, and said the Water Corporation was working to meet its carbon offset requirements. “(It) has implemented a plan, approved by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, which outlines how (environmental) compliance will be met, including how any legacy deficits will be fully redressed,” the spokesperson said. “Water Corporation’s Greenhouse Gases Management Plan, approved by DWER, articulates how (the plant) will be returned to compliance with relevant ministerial conditions through the procurement of additional renewable energy and by developing new sources of Australian carbon credit units.” The spokesperson said the plan included the Water Corporation sourcing additional renewable supplies and helping develop WA-based carbon offsets. “The corporation, in partnership with Forest Products Commission, has established pine plantations in the South West to generate (carbon credits), which can be surrendered against greenhouse gas emissions,” the spokesperson said. “Water Corporation continues to purchase and accrue offsets, and continues to strive for 100 per cent renewables.”