The State Government will mandate a preference for WA-made green steel on major state projects, bolstering local manufacturing. The initiative is a key component of the “Made in WA” plan, which aims to diversify the economy.
“Locally made green steel is a key part of my vision to become a renewable energy powerhouse and make more things here,” WA Premier Roger Cook said. “This announcement is a signal of intent to this new green steel industry. We want you here.
“We want to decarbonise, and we want the jobs it creates to kick off a whole new industry for WA by using the power of government procurement. It’ll mean that when we build government projects, we’re not just creating jobs in construction, we’re creating them in manufacturing.”
An open-market expression of interest will be released for green steel. Alongside this, new “if not, why not” procurement rules will ensure local suppliers are favoured for public projects, including railways, roads, and hospitals.
A new Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS) for the steel industry will also be published, setting stronger sourcing expectations and directing Government Trading Enterprises, such as Western Power, to drive local procurement.
The initiative also aims to establish a local green steel recycling industry, which would use feedstock from decommissioned mining and offshore plants.
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