- $3 billion investment to tackle climate change in 2023-24 State Budget
- $2.8 billion to transition Western Australia's energy system for a low-carbon future
- Massive investment to deliver cleaner, reliable and affordable energy for WA
- Funding for one of the world's biggest battery storage systems, to be built in Collie
The McGowan Government's 2023-24 State Budget will deliver a major boost in efforts to tackle climate change, with a $3 billion investment to help achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The 2023-24 Budget will feature $2.8 billion for energy storage, wind power generation and transmission network upgrades on the State's main electricity grid, to deliver cleaner, reliable and affordable energy to Western Australians into the future.
The massive funding injection will help to replace the generation capacity of State-owned coal-fired power stations, which will be retired by 2030, to ensure a stable and secure electricity supply for Western Australia.
As part of the funding package, the McGowan Government will invest $2.3 billion to deliver new battery storage on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).
It includes funding a battery energy storage system in Collie, which has the potential to be one of the world's biggest systems, providing around 500 megawatts (MW) for up to four hours. The system will be operational before the end of 2025.
It also includes funding to deliver the 200MW Kwinana Battery Energy Storage System 2 (KBESS2), which will provide four hours of storage, complementing the existing Big Battery at Kwinana.
These large-scale batteries will be an essential part of WA's energy future, collecting excess energy from the State's vast rooftop solar resources during the day, and releasing green energy when it is needed at peak times.
The State Budget will include $368 million for up to 210MW of large-scale renewable energy generation projects to provide green electricity to households and businesses, through a new wind farm at King Rocks and a potential expansion of Bright Energy Investments' existing 180MW Warradarge Wind Farm near Eneabba.
Along with the previously announced Water Corporation investment into Stage 2 of the Flat Rocks wind farm, and subject to the relevant approvals, these projects form the initial pipeline earmarked for development in June 2022 when the State Government announced the retirement of State-owned coal-fired power stations.
It builds on the $126 million investment towards electricity network planning and upgrades announced alongside the SWIS Demand Assessment report earlier this week, to help industry and government move towards net zero emissions by 2050.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"This major investment in the 2023-24 State Budget will deliver cleaner energy that's reliable and affordable, building a stronger future for Western Australia.
"My Government is taking action to tackle climate change and investing to meet our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
"These projects will help to decarbonise our main electricity grid, and Western Australian households as a result, facilitating the retirement of State-owned coal-fired power by 2030 while ensuring a stable and reliable electricity system."
As stated by Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
"The South West Interconnected System, our main electricity grid, is in the middle of a significant transformation: moving from a high-emissions, thermal generation base, to a low-emissions, renewable future.
"The McGowan Government's significant investments in wind generation, storage and transmission infrastructure in this State Budget are a critical step forward in that transition.
"Keeping the electricity grid reliable and secure remains the State Government's priority for energy.
"This significant investment in battery storage in this Budget will ensure new renewable generation is 'firmed' so electricity supply can always meet demand in an increasingly green grid."
