The Western Australian Government has appointed Michael Barnes as the Deputy Chair for state-owned Western Power, in light of its preparation to decrease emissions output.
Barnes has spent 27 years at Western Australia’s Department of Treasury, with the past 11 years as the Under Treasurer.
In recognition of his service to the state government, Barnes was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2020, as well as Leader of the Year in State or Federal Government in 2022, awarded by the Institute of Public Administration.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says Western Power will harness Barnes’ experience in its transition to clean energy.
“Western Power has a critical role to play in making WA a clean energy powerhouse and I am confident that Michael’s leadership will help drive us towards achieving our Made in WA plan,” Sanderson says.
Western Power is actively preparing the network to support the state’s goal of net zero emissions by 2025 through its Clean Energy Link Program, seeing 33 apprentices, trainees, and university graduates joining the team in January 2025, as reported by Mining.com.au.
The net zero plan extends on the country’s overall fight against climate change, initiated after the Paris Agreement, which offered a global goal to prevent further rising of average temperatures.
Western Power is a government-owned utility that is responsible for building, maintaining, and operating an electricity network across Western Australia.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Western Power
