- Receivers and managers of Griffin Coal to benefit from McGowan Government grant
- Funding to help further deliver stable operations during peak summer period
- Complements extensive planning to ensure reliable power supply
The McGowan Government will provide a grant to the receivers and managers of the insolvent Griffin Coal to stabilise its Collie operations and provide certainty for the workforce and community.
Griffin supplies coal to the privately owned Bluewaters Power Station, which provides energy generation capacity for the South West Interconnected System, Western Australia's main power grid, as well as Worsley.
As well as providing for the continued supply of coal to Bluewaters and South32 until 31 January 2023, the funding will support increased production at Griffin to ensure a reliable power supply.
Griffin has operated under a long-standing State Agreement which is due to expire at the end of June 2023.
The interim funding arrangement follows an inability to date to resolve commercial arrangements
The funding will provide time for the commercial parties, with the support of Government, to finalise their negotiations to ensure a sustainable coal supply.
The Government will seek to recover the funding as part of any longer-term commercial arrangements.
As stated by State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook:
"This funding provides certainty for workers and the community. It not only addresses the security of coal supply from Griffin and the energy supplied by Bluewaters, but also the jobs of 200 workers at Collie.
"The Government will continue to work closely with Griffin's receivers and managers and its customers to find a commercial solution to support longer term operations."
As stated by Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
"This arrangement highlights the McGowan Government's commitment to support Western Australia's energy security over the peak summer demand period.
"It is consistent with our commitment to managing the decline of the coal industry and the retirement of Synergy's coal-fired fleet by 2030."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
"This funding will provide greater certainty for my community and the Collie workforce.
"The McGowan Government is committed to supporting the community of Collie and its workforce through the $662 million Collie Transition Package.
"I will never stop fighting for the best possible outcomes for my community."
