A power cable carrying renewable energy from a green power hub earmarked on the outskirts of Karratha could prove a game-changer in decarbonising WA’s economic powerhouse.
A power cable carrying renewable energy from a green power hub earmarked on the outskirts of Karratha could prove a game-changer in decarbonising Western Australia’s economic powerhouse.
Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and the state government have formed a partnership to build the common-use transmission line, which would deliver 100 per cent renewable energy to industrial firms on the Burrup Peninsula (Murujuga).
The transmission line, which was flagged at last month’s Pilbara Summit, will run from the Maitland Strategic Industrial area to Murujuga, where Woodside, Yara, Rio Tinto, and Pilbara Ports have significant infrastructure.
Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation director Ken Walker said the project would generate wealth for traditional owners and help to protect the rock art of Murujuga.
“We think that is very important and we are firmly behind it,” he said.
“The ongoing benefits to the local community up here, we can’t really stress that loud or often enough.
“With the green energy project, the opportunity is there for local people to start a business is tremendous.”
Funding, timeline, ownership and construction specifics are yet to be confirmed.
Energy Minister Reece Whitby said the cable would help position WA 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,” he said.
“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.”
Proponents planning green energy developments at Maitland include Fortescue, Woodside, Perdaman, Yara and Hexagon Energy.
Yara Pilbara general manager Laurent Trost said a green power line would be a game-changer for the industrial estate.
“While issues such as final scope, access arrangements and affordability need to be resolved, the provision of green electricity would be an enabler for Yara Pilbara to significantly up the production of clean ammonia and help fast track the further decarbonisation of our operations,” he said.
“Adding connection to green electricity into the mix could allow an incremental increase in low carbon intensity products and, in the longer term, an upscale of green production by the 'stacking' of electrolysers."
Yara is building a renewable hydrogen demonstration plant on the Burrup and is probing a carbon capture and storage project to cut its emissions by 75 per cent.
Premier Roger Cook said local jobs would flow from the project.
The state government has flagged the cable’s potential to attract financing from the federal government’s $3 billion Rewiring the Nation funding pool for WA.
Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation is also behind the $5 billion desalination plant announced last month.
Mr Walker said that project could generate $2 million per month in revenue for its partners.
