Expressions of Interest for Priority Projects

On 13 September 2024, the Minister for Energy Reece Whitby MLA announced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, inviting proponents of eligible common-use Pilbara transmission projects to apply for Priority Project status under the Pilbara Energy Transition (PET) Plan. Applications to the EOI closed on Friday 25 October 2024.

There were a number of robust, high-quality submissions to this process, indicative of strong industry commitment to the region’s low-emission energy future. Submissions to the EOI process were assessed against State Government objectives, including decarbonising the Pilbara, delivering positive outcomes for Traditional Owners and local communities, supporting common-use infrastructure, and timely delivery.

The proponents that have been awarded Priority Project status following the conclusion of the EOI process are:

Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH) for the Great Sandy Desert Corridor, which will link Port Hedland and the Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area (SIA) with high-quality renewable resources at the western edge of the Great Sandy Desert.
APA for the Hamersley Range Corridor, running from Port Hedland into the centre of the state's iron ore mining areas within the Hamersley Range.
APA for the Burrup (Murujuga) Corridor, which will activate the Maitland SIA, facilitate the decarbonisation of the Burrup (Murujuga) SIA and link into the coastal transmission network at Karratha.
Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation for the Chichester Range Corridor, which will start at Maitland and then reach into the Chichester Range, unlocking high-quality wind resources.

These projects will receive a recommendation to the Australian Government to be considered for concessional financing from WA’s allocation of up to $3 billion from Rewiring the Nation, which is administered by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. The State Government will now work with the successful proponents to progress the required scoping and planning works for each project. Once complete, this new common-use transmission infrastructure will connect renewable generation to demand, enhancing the supply of energy to vital mining, mineral processing and manufacturing industries and facilitating the growth of future green industry.

Relevant Documents