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 access to 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 Two: Overview
Development of the GRN is progressing through a structured, three-stage process aimed at demonstrating the Network's feasibility and potential benefits. Stage Two of this process - a Commercial Assessment of the GRN concept - is currently underway.
Building on the work completed in Stage One, Stage Two will review and test initial inputs, assumptions, and results. This process will identify a shortlist of financial models that are likely to be commercially viable for potential project developers, network operators, and future users of the GRN.
Stage Two includes:
- Consideration of potential financing arrangements, including both public and private funding sources.
- Investigation and early development of potential benefit-sharing structures for Aboriginal groups within the GRN footprint.
- Modelling of additional demand scenarios, informed by industry and other stakeholder inputs, and including varied assumptions on energy demand from nickel mining operations in the region.
- Preliminary advice on areas within the potential GRN footprint that may not be suitable to host transmission infrastructure, due to environmental, heritage, social or other considerations.
- Detailed reliability modelling.
- An in-depth analysis of the potential network tariff options.
A draft Stage Two report is expected in early-mid 2026 and will be informed by input and feedback from GRN stakeholders.
Working Groups
To ensure effective stakeholder engagement, 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 empower local Aboriginal groups to participate in and benefit from the project.
To find out more about the GRN working groups, click here.
Stay Up to Date
Sign up here to receive updates on the Goldfield Regional Network.
Print this page
