On 6 December 2022, the State Government announced a $22.5 million investment to reduce approval times for job-creating green energy projects. The Initiative is key to the diversification and decarbonisation of Western Australian industries. The initiative consists of a dedicated environmental assessment team and a dedicated major projects facilitation team for Green Energy Major Projects.
The Green Energy Approvals Initiative is helping to attract investment into the Western Australian renewable energy sector by improving the State’s renewable energy credentials while ensuring the environment is protected for future generations.
State Government agencies, including Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI), Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Department of Energy, Mining, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) are working together to develop more streamlined assessment pathways and fit-for-purpose support for proponents.
JTSI is the first point of contact for all green energy project proponents and investors. JTSI provides initial assessment, advice and referral to relevant regulatory agencies. Find out more about JTSI’s case management services for Green Energy Major Projects.
For a project to be assessed as a Green Energy project by DWER via the dedicated Green Energy Approvals Initiative assessment team, projects must fit into at least one of the following categories:
Green Energy project categories
| Renewable power generation | Projects that have a primary purpose of producing electricity using only renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and wave power. |
| Renewable hydrogen manufacturing | Projects where the primary purpose is to exclusively use renewable energy sources (like wind or solar power) to produce hydrogen through electrolysis or other sustainable processes that are devoid of substantial carbon emissions. |
| Lithium mining | Projects that involve the mining of lithium-rich minerals from natural deposits, which is a key material used in the production of energy storage systems. |
| Critical minerals processing | Projects that incorporate downstream / secondary processing, refinement and smelting processing of the following critical minerals: high purity alumina, antimony, beryllium, chromium, cobalt, gallium, germanium, graphite, indium, lithium, manganese, nickel, niobium, platinum group elements, rare earth elements, scandium, silicon, tantalum, tungsten and vanadium and nickel. This list aligns with the critical minerals identified in the Western Australian Battery and Critical Mineral Prospectus. Projects that include both critical mineral mining and processing operations (as described above) that have a primary focus of furthering the Green Energy transition are within the scope of the Green Energy Approvals Initiative. |
| Construction, manufacturing or recycling of renewable energy products | Projects with a primary purpose of producing and/or recycling renewable energy products that support the green energy transition, including products such as batteries, electrolysers, solar panels and wind turbines. |
| Energy storage | Projects with a primary purpose of storing electricity generated from green energy sources (such as batteries and pumped hydro), which assist in integrating renewable energy sources into the electricity grid and enhance grid stability. |
| Electricity transmission infrastructure | Projects to construct electricity transmission infrastructure that is predominantly servicing the transmission of electricity generated by green energy sources. |
The Green Energy Approvals Initiative is driving the delivery of green energy solutions for WA, underscoring the State Government’s commitment to net zero by 2050.
Contact
Green Energy Approvals Initiative - for project proponents
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Level 11, 1 William Street
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: 08 6277 3000
For investors seeking opportunities in green energy please to Invest and Trade Western Australia.
For general inquiries:
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
Locked Bag 10 Joondalup DC
JOONDALUP WA 6919
Telephone: 08 6364 7000
Email: info@dwer.wa.gov.au
