WA clean energy body folds, citing government policy

The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia, which has represented the clean energy industry in the state of Western Australia (and elsewhere) has stopped trading, ciing the falls in revenue created by the current socio-political environmnt.

The SEA says its membership and revenues have fallen steadily over the last few years “as our industry has struggled to survive changes in government policy and economic factors.”

Chairman Mike Laughton-Smith said: “Despite the strong support of some key members and minimizing operating costs, we have sought advice regarding our solvency and have had to stop trading.  It is with great sorrow and profound regret that I announce that the organisation is winding up, with immediate effect.”

The SEA has entered talks with is former rival the Clean Energy Council – the SEA did a few years ago try to usurp the national role of the CEC – to take over its WA focus.

It is suggested the CEC will establish a sub-division or directorate, which will be called ‘CEC WA’, with a WA based committee and a WA based Business Manager, while the CEC provides operational support, overall management and governance responsibility.

The directorate will have its own independent branding and identity to clearly distinguish it as WA focused. One of the sticking points will be over membership levels and fees, and the SEA says this is currently being discussed.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated move, a former head of the SEA, Professor Ray Wills, has been appointed a director of Horizon Energy, the state-owned utility that operates in regional and remote WA.