About the Association
The WA IPA works to ensure that the Western Australian power industry is open, competitive, and reliable. It supports private investment in electricity infrastructure, power generation and supply and a competitive retail market.
Since 2006 independent power companies have invested around $5 billion in the WA electricity market, providing more than 50 per cent of the power generated in WA’s main grid. Private retailers are now also supplying electricity customers in the contestable market.
This significant private investment has resulted in:
Increased competition putting downward pressure on the price of energy for commercial customers;
More choice for contestable customers;
Investment in cleaner energy solutions;
Significant economic benefits, including new jobs and regional development; and
The WA Government avoiding having to spend on new power generation infrastructure, instead allowing more government funds for investment in core public services and social infrastructure.
Residential customers do not yet have the benefit of choosing their suppliers but most businesses have a choice in supplier and they have benefitted by reduced prices of around 20 per cent.
