The state government has opened up the Pilbara electricity market to greater competition after privately-owned Alinta Energy applied last year to gain access to state-owned Horizon Power's network.
Synergy intends to develop up to 280 megawatts of renewable energy projects in WA by 2020 after the McGowan government approved plans for a private investor to acquire a majority stake in its existing wind farm and solar farm and in two new projects.
Sydney-based energy provider Origin Energy will launch in the Western Australian retail gas market today, 10 months after Business News revealed the company would be the fourth business to supply domestic gas in the state.
SPECIAL REPORT: As WA households benefit from increased competition in gas retailing, the electricity sector wants to be able to compete with Synergy in providing to small customers, with some industry members calling for a reduction in the contestability threshold to 20 megawatt hours.
The state government plans to prepare reforms to allow third-party access in the North West Interconnected System, the Pilbara's electricity network, ready for a cabinet decision in March 2018, in a move that would end years of impasse.
Renewable energy company WestGen has moved close to proceeding with WA's second new solar farm this year, after appointing key contractors for its $75 million Byford project.
Sydney-based AGL made its long-awaited entry to the Perth gas market this week, with price cuts and a range of customer incentives underpinning the company's offering as the sector's newest player in the domestic gas sector.
Competition among developers of renewable energy projects in WA's South West is hotting up, with two solar farms starting construction this year and a further eight major projects hoping to join them.
East coast-based companies AGL Energy and Origin Energy have received approval to enter Western Australia's domestic gas market, where they will join Wesfarmers subsidiary Kleenheat and Alinta Energy.
Mining services company Ausdrill has expanded its partnership with Hockey Australia, while AGL Energy has sponsored the West Coast Eagles as it seeks to lift its profile ahead of its planned entry to the Western Australian gas market.
SPECIAL REPORT: The mergers and acquisitions market was eventful in the March quarter, with Chinese and private equity investors to the fore, multiple WA businesses on the block, and a surprise advisory switch on a key takeover.
A lack of battery storage across the electricity network in Perth and surrounds is the most significant energy problem facing the state, according to recent research from the University of Western Australia.
Western Australia's biggest gas retailer, Alinta Energy, has been bought by a Hong Kong jewellery and property conglomerate, with Premier-elect Mark McGowan saying the deal confirmed his opposition to privatisation.
Perth's domestic gas users could have a choice between four retailers by July next year, with Sydney-based utility Origin Energy putting forward an application to the Economic Regulation Authority to enter the market.
AGL Energy is set to take on Alinta Energy and Wesfarmers' subsidiary Kleenheat in Western Australia's retail gas market, with the company targeting 100,000 customers within two years.
Perth-based broking firm Patersons Securities is understood to have won a spot on the panel of retail brokers that will support the $2 billion initial public offering of Alinta Energy.
SPECIAL REPORT: The stock market's appetite for new listings is allowing a range of companies, from family-owned engineering firm Veem to big national player Alinta Energy, to raise capital.
With five decades of experience in the banking and corporate sectors, there was no shortage of issues to be discussed when Tony Howarth sat down to lunch with Business News at the newly reopened Julio's restaurant.
Treasurer Mike Nahan has said encouraging private investment in the Pilbara electricity grid could reduce its excess capacity and also energy prices in the north west, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia lunch today.
SPECIAL REPORT: The dramatic rise and fall of iron ore producers and the recent surge in gold and lithium stocks have been highlighted by a historic review of WA's major listed companies.
Chevron has signed a domestic gas sales deal with energy retailer Alinta Energy for the supply of about a quarter of planned production from its Wheatstone project near Onslow.
SPECIAL REPORT: A flurry of deals over the past fortnight, including four acquisitions by international companies expanding in Western Australia and the year's largest capital raising, has added life to a flat corporate finance market.
Wesfarmers subsidiary, Kleenheat, has secured 19 per cent of the state's business market in just its third year of operation, according to general manager Mark Gadsby.
Four Mid West companies have won nearly $6 million in contracts for work on AWE's Waitsia project, where first gas is expected in the third quarter of this year.
A new lobby group associated with influential players in the power industry has warned the state government it risks a voter backlash at the 2017 poll if proposed changes to the sector trigger higher prices to households.
AWE and Origin Energy plan to spend $17.5 million on the first stage of their Waitsia onshore gas project in the Perth Basin after an offtake agreement was finalised with Alinta Energy.
Having invested million of dollars over many years in an uncertain regulatory environment, Western Australian private power station developers are now facing further delays due to proposed changes to the electricity market.
The upcoming float of livestock exporter Wellard is set to be the fifth biggest in Western Australia's history, and will also stretch the market lead of investment bank UBS, according to research by Business News.
A series of major trade sales and the prospect of one of WA's biggest-ever IPOs were highlights in what remained subdued capital markets in the September quarter. Also in our special report, how a surge in backdoor listings is attracting Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.
Woodside Petroleum's ambitious play for Oil Search is a rare example of a Perth-based company being the bidder in a big takeover. Click through to see Business News' listing and analysis of $1 billion-plus M&A deals in WA over the past 20 years.
The new owners of Quadrant Energy have spoken to Business News about how the $2.7 billion acquisition came together and their plans for the oil and gas producer.
THE launch this month of independent oil and gas producer Quadrant Energy has underlined the big role private equity investors play in Western Australia, owning more than a dozen major businesses a
Energy Minister Mike Nahan's announcement earlier this week of the government's planned introduction of greater competition to the electricity sector has already spurred the growth prospects of one market entrant.
The state government has announced its intention to phase out its $500 million-plus annual electricity subsidy within the next four years, paving the way for deregulation allowing households to buy their electricity and gas from competing suppliers.
Asset sales, cost cutting and restructuring are under way across WA, creating opportunities for professional services firms. Click through to see details of more than 30 privatisation deals in WA, from 1961 to the present day.
