WA to deliver $134m in funding to reduce emissions
The WA State Government will deliver $134m in funding to slash the State’s greenhouse gas emissions and drive new job opportunities in clean energy industries.
This funding comes ahead of the WA Government’s energy transition summit which will outline the course for WA’s journey to becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse.
Of the $134m, $60 will go towards investing in new energy projects across WA through the Government’s flagship Investment Attraction Fund (IAF).
The IAF opens today and offers funding for projects in battery and critical minerals processing, renewable hydrogen, advanced manufacturing in wind and solar componentry, carbon capture and storage projects.
Previously, the IAF has supported energy industry projects across WA, including a high purity alumina plant for high-tech battery cells, a renewable diesel biorefinery, an electrolyser and hydrogen refuelling station network and an advanced solar manufacturing facility.
The remaining $74m will be used across a range of initiatives to further WA’s net zero ambitions as part of the Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategies (SERS) process launched in December 2021.
WA Premier Roger Cook says the State has the potential to become a global renewable energy powerhouse.
“WA has the potential to become a global renewable energy powerhouse — not only meeting our own net zero targets, but helping our neighbours to transition away from coal to cleaner energy sources,” he said.
“We’re backing local industry to take advantage of the incredible opportunities in the energy transition — from battery assembly and manufacturing to hydrogen production and critical minerals processing.”
Through SERS, the WA State Government will inject an extra $11.2m into its Clean Energy Future Fund to support innovative projects that reduce the State’s emissions.
A $6.5m boost will go towards the Green Energy Approvals Unit to slash green tape and fast-track approvals for major clean energy projects, while $31m will be invested through Horizon Power to deliver cleaner, reliable and affordable energy.
Furthermore, as part of efforts to support electric vehicle (EV) uptake, the WA State Government will invest $2.2m to install almost 70 dual-bay EV chargers at new METRONET stations and it has also lifted the EV target in the State Government car fleet to 50%.
The WA State Government is developing SERS in consultation with all sectors to lay the foundation for transitioning to net zero by 2050.
WA Minister for Energy Bill Johnston commented on the initiatives.
“This is a truly cross-Government venture of several departments collaborating on the most efficient transition towards the State Government’s commitment to net zero by 2050,” he said.
“Diversifying the economy to deliver a cleaner, affordable and reliable energy future are key priorities which present challenges — but also enormous opportunities to position WA as a global green energy superpower.”
