The Western Australian Government has struck major renewable energy agreements to purchase electricity from new wind farm projects, marking a significant step in its transition away from coal.
State-owned utility Synergy and the Water Corporation will secure power through long-term deals with three proposed wind farms, unlocking more than 1 gigawatt of new renewable capacity across regional WA.
As part of a series of long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Synergy has agreed to buy renewable energy from the following projects once commissioned:
- Parron Maam Marang Farm, a proposed 470-megawatt (MW) onshore wind farm to be owned and operated by Zephyr Energy – a partnership between Parron Developments and Atmos Renewables – which is expected to provide electricity by late-2028.
- Kondinin Wind Farm, a proposed 130MW onshore wind farm being developed by Kondinin Energy – a joint venture between Shell Energy and Foresight Group – which is expected to provide electricity by approximately late-2028.
In addition, Water Corporation will procure 330MW of electricity from the Marri Wind Farm once commissioned, a 550MW onshore wind farm developed by Alinta Energy and which is expected to produce electricity in 2029.
Once operational, the projects are expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 800,000 homes annually, with total capacity exceeding that of the state’s remaining coal-fired power stations.
“There has never been a more important time to invest in Western Australia’s energy transition,” Premier Roger Cook said.
“By securing more affordable, reliable and clean energy while creating new jobs in construction, manufacturing and technology, my government can deliver its priority of diversifying our State’s economy and making it a renewable energy powerhouse.”