The Western Australian Government has unveiled four key corridors earmarked for the development of common-use transmission infrastructure in the Pilbara, advancing the region’s energy transition ambitions.
Announced as part of the Pilbara Energy Transmission (PET) Plan during the Pilbara Roundtable on 13 September, these corridors aim to streamline energy transmission to support renewable energy projects and industrial growth. Project proponents within these areas are invited to apply for Priority Project status under an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
The designated corridors include:
- Burrup (Murujuga) Corridor: Connecting the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area (SIA) with Karratha and the Burrup SIA.
- Chichester Range Corridor: Linking the Maitland SIA to a high-quality wind zone 50–100 kilometers further south, near the Chichester Range.
- Hamersley Range Corridor: Establishing transmission lines between the Boodarie SIA, Port Hedland, and the eastern Hamersley Range, a hub for iron ore mining.
- Great Sandy Desert Corridor: Connecting Boodarie SIA and Port Hedland with renewable energy projects eastward near the Great Sandy Desert.
Priority Projects within these corridors stand to benefit from a government recommendation for concessional financing under the Australian Government’s $3 billion Rewiring the Nation program, administered by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
APA Group welcomed the Western Australian Government’s announcement that it has been awarded Priority Project status for the delivery of electricity transmission in two corridors that will support decarbonisation across the Pilbara.
According to APA, the company has been awarded Priority Project status for the Hamersley Range Corridor, which will connect APA’s Port Hedland and Newman Power Stations, and the Burrup (Murujuga) Corridor.
CEO and Group Managing Director, Adam Watson, said the announcement reflects APA’s position as the partner of choice for the delivery of energy infrastructure, its track record of delivery in Western Australia and the ongoing execution of its Pilbara and electricity transmission growth strategies.
“APA welcomes the opportunity to work with the Western Australian Government on its objectives to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and the rapid, orderly, and equitable transition to renewable energy in the Pilbara,” he said.
“We recognise the strategic importance of the region to Western Australia and the Australian economy. Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to working with customers to deliver affordable, reliable and lower emissions energy to Australian industry as the nation transitions.
“APA has a 25-plus-year history of delivering safe, reliable energy in the Pilbara and is committed to meaningful and ongoing engagement with Traditional Owners and local communities. We look forward to progressing these projects in partnership with the State Government, customers, local community, and other stakeholders.”
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