Energy Insiders Podcast: Why WA could take lead in renewable energy transition

WA energy minister Bill Johnston joins the Energy Insiders podcast to explain his state’s transition plans, and the work that went behind the newly released Distributed Energy Roadmap.

That document make 36 recommendations, including an immediate push for 10 new community-scale batteries, and an upgrade to rooftop solar inverter settings. It will be followed by their own integration plan and a review of the market rules, which will review their capacity markets.

It’s all happening at a speed which those in the eastern states can only imagine. “We can make our own rules,”Johnston says, noting the lack of a layered regulatory blockage – and the state seems set to lead the way in adoption of distributed energy, stand alone power systems, and exploiting the huge resources in wind and solar.

Read also David Leitch’s explanation of why this has not happened yet in Australia’s main grid: John Pierce’s legacy: Blinkered policies are fragmenting NEM

You can find previous editions of the Energy Insiders Podcast here, or on your favourite podcast platform.

Solaray is a proud sponsor of Energy Insiders
Solaray is a proud sponsor of Energy Insiders
Evergen is a proud sponsor of Energy Insiders

Join Renew Economy founder and editor-in-chief Giles Parkinson and columnist and energy markets expert David Leitch as they discuss the week's main events - politics, solar and storage.

Energy Insiders Podcast

Join Renew Economy founder and editor-in-chief Giles Parkinson and columnist and energy markets expert David Leitch as they discuss the week's main events - politics, solar and storage.

Share

Recent Posts

Big batteries took a bite out of gas generators’ evening peak party, then they ate the whole dinner

The growth of battery storage in evening peaks has been stunning, and in the last…

14 May 2026

NSW to invest $60 million to local communities, years before first poles erected in new renewable zone

NSW fast-tracks $60 million in community funds to help head off community concerns about the…

14 May 2026

Australia’s growing throng of solar panels, home batteries and electric cars to be managed by new regulator

Australia's growing throng of solar panels, batteries and electric cars will be managed by a…

14 May 2026

A “keep out” sign for investment: Alarm bell sounds over new retrospective tax on renewables

Industry says retrospective tax on renewables announced in budget could deter foreign investment when it's…

14 May 2026

Diesel backup gensets are big winners from the data centre boom. Our cities would be better off with batteries

One of the segments flowing rivers of gold from the data centre boom is backup…

14 May 2026

Bizarre planning rules that force new home owners to pay for gas connections, whether they want it or not

The bizarre planning rules that make fossil gas connections a default for new homes, and…

14 May 2026