Efforts to deliver renewable energy in the Pilbara are progressing, with State Government, Traditional Owners, and industry planning advancing to support major industry players to decarbonise.
The Pilbara is the engine room of Western Australia’s economy, responsible for about 20 per cent of gross state product and contributing about a quarter of State Government revenue.
Plans are progressing to deliver 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 Western Australia.
The Maitland-Karratha-Burrup line is anticipated to provide the template for future common-use renewable infrastructure to support the region’s decarbonisation.
Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, said, “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 Western Australia a green energy powerhouse.
“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.”
Western Australian Energy Minister, Reece Whitby, said, “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.”
Mr Whitby said it is crucial Traditional Owners and industry are on board with the plan.
“Together, we can secure decades of economic prosperity in our state.”
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, “The 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.”
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said the project is one 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.”
Featured image: totajla/shutterstock.com
