The State Government has been extended access to Western Power's South West electricity grid to facilitate the development and promotion of competition within the electricity supply industry.

Where an organisation with a specific site connected to the South West electricity grid has an annual electricity consumption of at least 50 MWh, it can purchase all of its electricity needs from a supplier of electricity other than Synergy.

As part of the Government's restructuring of Western Australia's electricity industry, a new Electricity Networks Access Code was established on 1 December 2004. The Code prescribes commercial arrangements, including charges, which will apply in respect of electricity generators and retailers accessing the South West electricity grid. The new Code is independently administered by the Economic Regulation Authority. It can be viewed at www.era.wa.gov.au

Further information on access arrangements is available from Western Power on +61 8 9326 4911 or at www.westernpower.com.au