The Pilbara is the economic engine room of our State. Decarbonising the Pilbara by expanding access to renewable energy will also be crucial to ensuring the long-term viability of key industries in our state.
On 13 September, the Pilbara Roundtable convened to discuss the next steps in the region’s energy transition. Traditional Owners, Industry, and Government stakeholders collaborated during the Roundtable to advance the decarbonisation of the Pilbara.
A key outcome of the Roundtable process was the launch of an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, inviting eligible common-use Pilbara transmission project proponents to apply for Priority Project status under the Pilbara Energy Transition (PET) Plan.
The EOI process is a crucial element of the PET Plan, which will support increasing demand for renewable electricity from the region and accelerate decarbonisation by encouraging more common use transmission infrastructure. This approach is intended to prevent duplication, reduce impact on Country, and minimise the environmental footprint of energy related activities.
Priority Project status will be awarded to projects within designated priority corridors - the Burrup (Murujuga) Corridor, the Chichester Range Corridor, the Hamersley Range Corridor, and the Great Sandy Desert Corridor. To be considered for Priority Project status, projects must align with State Government objectives, including decarbonising the Pilbara, delivering positive outcomes for Traditional Owners and local communities, supporting common-use infrastructure, and ensuring timely delivery. Furthermore, proponents seeking Priority Project status must demonstrate best practice engagement with impacted Traditional Owner groups and include meaningful benefit-sharing options.
Designated Priority Projects will receive a State Government recommendation to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to be considered for concessional financing from WA's allocation of up to $3 billion under the Australian Government's Rewiring the Nation program. Successful Priority Projects will ultimately support the Pilbara’s existing resources industry while also creating opportunities for the development of new industries.
Applications to the Expression of Interest process close on 25 October 2024. Further information, including Expression of Interest guidelines and application forms, are available here. The website also includes registration details for an information session on 26 September 2024 to support potential applicants to this process.
