WA Government prioritises locally made green steel

The WA Government has opened an expression of interest (EoI) for local green steel manufacturers to supply major government projects. 

Exporting green iron precursors to green steel is a major opportunity for WA to add value to its raw iron ore exports and procuring green steel for government projects provides an additional opportunity to develop a locally manufactured green steel recycling industry.

As part of new, soon-to-be-introduced local sourcing requirements, the government will explicitly preference WA-made green steel. 

To support this, the government will also be publishing a WA Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS) addendum for steel, which will introduce stronger expectations for local sourcing, recognise the role of recycled and low-emissions steel and insist on value-for-money assessments. 

WA Premier Roger Cook says this will not only create jobs in construction but also manufacturing. 

“We want to decarbonise, and we want the jobs it creates to kick off a whole new industry for WA by using the power of government procurement,” he said. 

“We’re creating good jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities in local workshops and fabrication yards, which is what the Made in WA plan that I took to this year’s election is all about.” 

The WA Government will also increase the supply of local steel to government projects including those in the health, transport and clean energy sectors with feedstock including decommissioned mining and offshore oil and gas plants. 

This aims to provide producers confidence to invest, create jobs in steel fabrication and help WA build a cleaner, stronger industrial base for the future. 

WA Energy and Decarbonisations and Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says this opportunity will show that decarbonisation and industrial strength go hand in hand. 

“It will create jobs, diversify the economy and provide the green steel products for projects that will shape WA, from hospitals and transport to housing and energy infrastructure,” she said. 

“We do not need to choose between clean energy and jobs. Our Made in WA plan and our clean energy transition make this all possible.”