The state government has taken the next step in its billion-dollar plan to decarbonise the Pilbara, as it seeks proponents to build the transmission lines to deliver its plan.
The state government has taken the next step in its billion-dollar plan to decarbonise the Pilbara, as it seeks proponents to build the transmission lines to deliver its plan.
Expressions of interest have opened on the delivery of four key transmission lines in the region, following a meeting of key stakeholders last week.
The priority transmission lines cover four key areas – the Burrup, Chichester Range, Hamersley Range and Great Sandy Desert corridors – lining up strategic areas to facilitate a north west transition.
The Burrup corridor will join the Maitland and Burrup strategic industrial areas with Karratha.
The Chichester Range corridor will connect Maitland with a prominent wind zone near Pannawonica.
Hamersley Range corridor will join the Boodarie strategic industrial area with Port Hedland and the eastern edge of the Hamersley Range, passing the state’s main iron ore precinct which is home to several BHP and Fortescue projects.
Boodarie and Port Hedland will be connected with BP’s proposed Australian Renewable Energy Hub near the Great Sandy Desert.
Energy Minister Reece Whitby said the new transmission lines would build on previous announcements to deliver a high-capacity common-use transmission line in the area.
That line will connect the Maitland area with Karratha and major Pilbara players, including Woodside, Fortescue, Perdaman and Yara.
“This is a world class infrastructure investment opportunity that will play a pivotal role in global decarbonisation,” he said.
“The Pilbara will be a clean energy powerhouse, with potential to amplify the economic success of our mining industry, and I encourage all interest parties to engage in this generational opportunity.”
The value of the contracts is as-yet undetermined, but proponents will receive priority project status from the state and will be recommended for access to cash through the $3 billion federal Rewiring the Nation fund announced in Perth last year.
The Pilbara’s decarbonisation has been identified as a key priority for the state and industry proponents but remains among the most challenging tasks facing WA’s energy transition.
Announcing Rewiring the Nation late last year, Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen told reporters the North West Interconnected System was the hardest in the Commonwealth to decarbonise because of a combination of harsh conditions, low renewables uptake and heavy industrial energy use.
EOIs will close on October 25, with recommendations expected before the end of the year.
