The State Government is under fire over its handling of the Mid West Energy Project.

The City of Geraldton-Greenough and the state opposition sharply criticised the Government this week after Energy Minister Peter Collier again failed to commit to stage two of the project.

Mr Collier also faced questions after it was announced Gindalbie Metals secured a contract with Downer EDI for a 180km 330kV transmission line from Eneabba to Karara for $120 million.

The Government’s estimate for the roughly 160km Eneabba- Geraldton link is $280 million.

Mr Collier said the MWEP northern stage included a terminal substation at Moonyoonooka and the Gindalbie 330kV works were different in scope, and direct comparison was difficult.

MWEP stage two would support critical infrastructure including renewable energy resources in the Mid West.

Minister Collier this week refused to guarantee the second stage of the project or comment on a projected timeline.

He said current predictions of natural load growth in Geraldton could be accommodated by the existing network until 2015-16.