Business · Energy & Commodities · 3 hrs ago
Albany homeowners face high costs as gas network prepares to close
Energy company ATCO plans to close Albany’s gas network over the next three years.
The network serves homes in Albany, a coastal city about 450 kilometres south of Perth in Western Australia.
Customers will need to switch to bottled gas or replace their gas appliances with electric ones.
A $31 million package, including $5 million from ATCO, will cover costs for customers moving to bottled gas, while those going electric can receive up to $2,000.
Architect Michael Roberts estimates converting his home to electric will cost $10,000 to $12,000, far more than the payment.
Documents show ATCO and the state government discussed closing the network eight months before customers were told, and Roberts says the timing surprised him.
The state government wants Albany residents to move away from gas and electrify, but energy analyst Ray Wills says larger subsidies may be needed to encourage the switch.
ATCO Australia plans to decommission Albany’s reticulated gas network over the next three years, leaving customers to switch to bottled gas or electricity.
A $31 million package, including $5 million from ATCO, will cover costs for customers moving to bottled gas, while customers switching to electricity can receive up to $2,000.
Albany architect Michael Roberts estimates it will cost $10,000 to $12,000 to convert his home from gas to electricity.
Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the government wants Albany residents to electrify after discussions to keep ATCO in the city failed.
Energy analyst Ray Wills said the transition to electricity was the right move but argued the package needed to be larger.
- Who
- ATCO Australia is decommissioning Albany’s gas network. Albany customers, including architect Michael Roberts, face the costs of switching from gas.
- What
- The network is due to close, and customers must move to bottled gas or electricity.
- When
- The decommissioning is planned over the next three years. The article was published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Albany, Western Australia.
- Why
- ATCO announced it would decommission the network. The sources do not state ATCO’s reason.
Albany customers concerned about conversion costs
State government seeking electrification
Conversion costs
Albany customers concerned about conversion costs
Michael Roberts estimates switching his home to electricity will cost $10,000 to $12,000, and says compensation of up to $2,000 covers only a fraction.
State government seeking electrification
Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the government wants Albany residents to electrify.
Package size
Albany customers concerned about conversion costs
Energy analyst Ray Wills said the package needed to be larger to encourage people to switch from gas bottles to electricity.
State government seeking electrification
The package provides up to $2,000 for customers switching to electricity and covers costs for customers moving to bottled gas.
ATCO and the state government discussed decommissioning the network, according to documents obtained by the ABC.
ATCO and the state government faced renewed criticism after the documents were reported.
ATCO plans to decommission Albany’s gas network.
- Network operator
- ATCO Australia
- Closure plan
- Decommissioning over the next three years
- Package
- $31 million, including $5 million from ATCO
- Electricity compensation
- Up to $2,000 per customer
- Estimated conversion cost
- Michael Roberts: $10,000 to $12,000
- Location
- Albany, about 450 kilometres south of Perth
What people are saying
I don't know whether they've all been agreed or signed off yet, but the whole thing has come as a surprise.
We'll probably tough it out with bottles, but had I known earlier I would have made the decision and gone straight to electric.
It's not going to be the long-term fuel for Western Australia.
No longer burning gas should be an incentive in itself,