Albany homeowners face costs as gas network shutdown proceeds

Roberts estimates the cost to convert his appliances from gas to electric will be between $10,000 and $12,000, a sum he says is only partially covered by the $31 million compensation package. This package, including $5 million from ATCO, aims to assist customers transitioning to bottled gas or electric alternatives, with electric conversions receiving up to $2,000 in compensation.

“We weren’t told,” Roberts stated, expressing concern for his firm’s clients who made gas appliance selections based on the assumption of continued network availability. He believes ATCO’s decision and the timing of the announcement were poorly handled.

The decommissioning plan has drawn criticism, particularly following the release of documents indicating discussions between ATCO and the state government occurred eight months prior to customer notification. Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson indicated her preference for residents to transition entirely to electric power, stating, “It’s not going to be the long-term fuel for Western Australia.”

Energy analyst Ray Wills acknowledged the shift to electric as a positive step but suggested a larger compensation package is needed to encourage widespread adoption. He argued government subsidies should cover 50% of conversion costs to make electric options more appealing. He drew a parallel to Rio Tinto’s previous reluctance to electrify operations due to government subsidies for diesel.

City of Albany Mayor Greg Stocks echoed concerns about the adequacy of the current package, emphasizing it primarily addresses the shift to bottled gas rather than full electrification. He noted that installing heat pumps and reverse cycle air conditioning systems can easily exceed $10,000.