The development of a new electricity network – the Goldfields Regional Network (GRN) – is being investigated to support the decarbonisation of the Goldfields region and to meet growing industry electricity demand as part of Western Australia's energy transformation.
The GRN would connect renewable energy resources, particularly generation from high-quality wind profiles north of Leinster, to where it is needed. This would allow industry in the Goldfields to access low emissions energy and ensure the supply of electricity in the region is able to meet future demand.
The potential network would also support decarbonisation of the region’s mining, metals and minerals processing loads, while enhancing energy reliability and resilience in the region – benefiting both industry and community.
Stage Three: Overview
Development of the GRN is progressing through a structured, three-stage process aimed at demonstrating the feasibility and potential benefits of the Network. Stage Three of this process – a Regulatory and Market Review – is currently underway.
Building on the foundations of Stage One and ongoing work being carried out as part of Stage Two, Stage Three will focus on identifying the regulatory and market arrangements that could be suitable for the GRN. This stage will also assess potential mechanisms for recovering the costs of developing the GRN.
As part of Stage Three, consideration will be given to the existing regulatory and market arrangements in the South West Interconnected System and the North West Interconnected System, with a view to understanding whether elements of these models could potentially be applied to the GRN.
Stage Three includes:
- Identify the roles needed to develop and operate the GRN, and determine which parties are best placed to carry them out.
- Outline the regulatory requirements for the GRN and assess the options for regulatory instruments.
- Consider who the likely GRN users will be and examine governance and amendment processes for each potential instrument.
Working Groups
To enhance stakeholder engagement and ensure evidence-based policy development, the next stages of the GRN investigation will include two working groups - the Commercial Working Group and the Regulatory and Markets Working Group.
The working groups will be consultative in nature with a focus on information sharing and advice-seeking.
PoweringWA will also undertake structured engagement with Aboriginal stakeholders. Outcomes from the engagement will help inform decision-making on the project and support local Aboriginal groups to participate in and benefit from the project.
To find out more about the GRN working groups, click here.
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