Western Australia

The Australian Energy Market Operator has eased forecasts of a looming capacity shortfall in Western Australia’s main electricity grid but has warned of the need for “substantial and sustained” investment in renewables to replace coal-fired power stations and meet surging demand from customers electrifying their operations.

Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation’s ambition to be a key player in Australia’s clean energy transition has received a boost with the Western Australian government fast tracking approval for a 150 MW solar project in the Pilbara.

Modular solar specialist 5B’s pre-assembled and relocatable Maverick solar solution has been unfolded in another off-grid hybrid renewable energy project as the decarbonisation of Australia’s mining sector continues.

Renewables developer Frontier Energy has boosted the duration of the 80 MW battery energy storage system planned for the Waroona Renewable Energy Project being developed near Perth by 12% to 4.5 hours. The first stage of the project is to also include a 120 MW solar farm.

Western Australia is on track to become home to the nation’s first clean energy training centre of excellence with the state and federal governments investing $70.5 million over five years to address labour shortages in Australia’s renewable energy transition.

The decarbonisation of mining operations continues to find support with a new report showing that an all-electric underground fleet for the Cosmos nickel project in Western Australia would be technically feasible and cost competitive with the existing all-diesel operating fleet that was planned.

A West Australian government virtual power plant technology pilot, Project Symphony, has successfully proven rooftop solar, batteries and major appliances can play an integral role in the state’s energy transition and create $920 million in value over the next decade.

Much like death and taxes are life’s guarantees, so are warmer days and nights with the Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range forecast predicting Australia to have an 80% chance of above-average temperatures this Autumn.

Australian miner Liontown Resources has flicked the switch on one of the largest off-grid renewable energy hybrid power stations in Australia with the solar, wind and battery energy storage system helping to power operations at its $895 million Kathleen Valley Lithium Project in Western Australia.

Western Australian regional energy provider Horizon Power has begun the search for electricity supply solutions that maximise renewable energy sources like solar to power five remote communities in the Kimberley region, reducing their reliance on fossil-fuel generation including diesel and gas.