WA Government seeks registrations of interest for decarbonisation plans

The WA Government is seeking registrations of interest (ROI) from large commercial and industrial users on their plans for low-emissions electricity and renewable energy projects to supply major projects in the state’s main electricity grid — the South West Interconnect System (SWIS).

These ROIs will help inform how and when future transmission builds could happen and where renewable energy hubs could be located.  

The ROI aims to establish a customer base that will shape future major transmission expansion projects, prioritise areas for grid investment and gain valuable insight to enable policy setting for suitable funding arrangements.

WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston says the government is encouraging major customers to be part of this once-in-a-generation transmission growth.

“WA’s abundance of sun and wind means we are at the forefront in harnessing the renewable generation, while ensuring benefits for the state and regional economy,” he said.

“SWIS Demand Assessment modelling indicated industrial demand over the next 20 years would require almost 10 times the amount of generation capacity currently available.

“The registrations of interest will help shape major transmission builds for the state as we all work together to deliver a clean energy future.”

Coordinated by Western Power and Energy Policy WA, the ROI will provide industrial customers an opportunity to submit project plans, status, timing and willingness to contribute to network augmentation and connection costs.

This process seeks to inform and shape new funding mechanisms for accessing network capacity and will form the basis for potential new policy settings.

The ROI is open until November 1, 2023.