Members of the Pilbara Industry Roundtable (PIR) have agreed on common use electricity infrastructure in the Pilbara region, supporting increased renewable energy usage and the state’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.
The members recognise the importance of supporting an increased use of renewable energy throughout the Pilbara region.
Members of the PIR include Western Australian state Minister for Energy, Bill Johnston, and representatives from Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue, Roy Hill, Woodside Energy, Horizon Power, Alinta Energy, bp, TransAlta, Pilbara Independent System Operator Company, and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.
The PIR has met four times over the past year to oversee a works program which modelled future electricity demand scenarios and assessed the current regulatory framework, examined land tenure arrangements, and explored social licences with the key focus of empowering local Indigenous communities and people.
Mr Johnston said that the agreement is a landmark for a clean energy future, the economic development of the Pilbara and Western Australia.
“This agreement is a historic accord between government and key industry players in the Pilbara, recognising that to reach our ambitious decarbonisation goals common use electrical infrastructure is key.
“The agreement recognises that electrical infrastructure development should empower local Aboriginal groups.”
Mr Johnston will use the findings of the Roundtable to design the next phase in Western Australia’s plan to shift to renewable energy.
Western Australian Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Reece Whitby said that the agreement is a ‘significant step towards a clean energy future’.
“It’s important we work together with major resources companies to reach our ambitious decarbonisation targets.
“Our vision is for Western Australia to become a world leader in renewable energy. Our government is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” Mr Whitby said.
“Decarbonising Western Australia’s economy to protect our environment for future generations is essential to the growth and diversification of our state.”
