- State Government, Traditional
Owners, and industry planning for major transmission infrastructure to deliver
renewable energy in the Pilbara
- Plans for large-capacity transmission
line to provide green energy from Maitland to Karratha and the Burrup Peninsula
- Project to support major
industry players to decarbonise
The Cook Labor Government is continuing to
develop Western Australia into a green energy powerhouse, with work progressing
on the development of the Pilbara's first major transmission line to deliver
clean electricity to the Burrup Peninsula.
Plans are progressing for the delivery of a
new high-capacity common use transmission line to link renewable energy
generation in the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area with Karratha and major Pilbara
industry players.
Traditional Owners, the Ngarluma Aboriginal
Corporation, and Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation - who have formed an alliance
for the project that is part of a working group with the State Government - are
continuing to work alongside Perdaman, Woodside, and Yara Pilbara on the
groundbreaking development.
The project has the potential to be the
first in the State to attract concessional finance from the Commonwealth's
Rewiring the Nation fund, up to $3 billion of which has been allocated to WA.
The State Government is continuing to work
closely with Traditional Owners and industry to design the transmission assets,
while ensuring minimal On Country impact.
The Pilbara is the engine room of WA's
economy, responsible for about 20 per cent of Gross State Product and contributing
about a quarter of State Government revenue.
It is anticipated the
Maitland-Karratha-Burrup line will provide the template for future common use
renewable infrastructure to support the region's decarbonisation.
Comments
attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"Development
of the planned Maitland-Karratha-Burrup line represents the first major step in
decarbonising the Pilbara and will help drive my Government's plans to make WA
a green energy powerhouse.
"This
project has strong potential to unlock additional job-creating opportunities on
the Burrup Peninsula, while meeting growing demand for clean, reliable energy.
"With
support for Traditional Owners and industry, this project has strong potential
to create quality local jobs, build better regions and deliver economic growth
that benefits all Western Australians."
Comments
attributed to Energy Minister Reece Whitby:
"We want to see Western Australia be at the
forefront of the global energy transition.
"To do that, we must decarbonise the
Pilbara, which has for decades driven our State's economic success and will
continue to do so as demand for green steel, battery metals, and clean hydrogen
exports grows.
"It's crucial Traditional Owners and
industry are on board with this plan, and I am proud to say they will have a
seat at the table every step of the way as this project evolves.
"Together, we can secure decades of
economic prosperity in our State."
Comments attributed to Federal Minister
for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen:
"Today's announcement shows the huge
benefits to industry and ultimately households, when the states and the
Commonwealth work collaboratively together on energy policy, focused on people instead
of playing politics.
"After a decade of neglect at a
Commonwealth level, Western Australians finally have a Government in Canberra
that recognises the full potential of the State and is ready to partner with
the Government to unlock it.
"The Albanese and Cook Governments are
delivering the energy infrastructure Western Australians need now."
Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin
Michel:
"This is a project the Pilbara should be
proud of. It has huge potential to set the standard for clean energy
developments in our region, benefitting Traditional Owners, industry, and local
people.
"Decarbonising our mining industry is
critical to ensuring we can continue to provide high-quality local jobs for
people in the Pilbara."
