Premier Mark McGowan and Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston today launched the Western Australian Future Battery Industry Strategy to grow the State into a world-leading exporter of future battery minerals, materials, technologies and expertise.
Increased demand for electric vehicles and energy storage systems has created a unique opportunity for Western Australia to become a central player in the global battery value chain.
The McGowan Government's Future Battery Industry Ministerial Taskforce has engaged closely with government, industry, research organisations and the community to deliver this strategy that aims to unlock the State's potential in this growing sector.
One of the first initiatives of the strategy the McGowan Government will implement is the development and implementation of an investment attraction strategy - to further develop and strengthen relationships with investors and manufacturers in global battery and electric vehicle supply chains.
The McGowan Government will continue to facilitate the establishment of new future battery projects in WA - assisting and supporting projects through the approvals process.
The next steps for the Government include filling current and future skill gaps, and facilitating access to infrastructure and funding for technology SMEs.
Other measures include exploring initiatives to increase the uptake of batteries across the State and globally. These include opportunities through assembly, installation and management of energy storage systems.
Additionally, the McGowan Government will commit $6 million if it is successful in its bid to host the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre in Perth.
Western Australia is the world's largest producer of lithium and a leading producer of other battery metals including nickel, cobalt and rare earths.
For a copy of the strategy, visit https://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/fbis
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The unprecedented growth of the future battery industry represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Western Australia.
"Our Future Battery Industry Strategy will drive the development of the Western Australian battery materials industry that will create local jobs, contribute to skills development and economic diversification, and maximise benefits to regional communities.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Western Australia to be recognised as a world-leading producer and exporter of future battery materials, technologies and expertise, with huge potential for industry growth and job creation across the battery value chain."
As stated by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
"The Future Battery Industry Strategy signifies the McGowan Government's commitment to establishing a world-leading, sustainable, value-adding battery industry in our State.
"The growing global demand for battery technologies presents an opportunity for Western Australia to build on its expertise in the resources industry and move further along the value chain into downstream processing activities.
"Western Australia has all the battery minerals you need to make batteries and energy technologies, we also have a stable and robust economy with low sovereign-risk, and we're world-leaders in research and development."
As stated by Science Minister Dave Kelly:
"This strategy focuses on how we can achieve a sustainable industry that promotes local business and innovation, and reinforces the strength of Western Australia's research and technology sector.
"The McGowan Government is a major supporter of the Future Battery Industries CRC bid as it will contribute industry focused research to Western Australian companies across the entire battery industries value chain.
"The CRC will support value chain research such as manufacturing next generation products that will bolster efficiency, reliability and safety of energy storage systems."
