The State Government earmarked $500 million in its State Budget for further work towards
a “cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy future”.

Premier Roger Cook said that by investing in the energy transition, the Government was locking in a cleaner, affordable, and reliable energy future for WA, while helping the
State’s trading partners reach their net zero goals.

A central focus of the Budget allocation is a $324 million investment in the South West Interconnected System, WA's main electricity transmission network.

The money will enable Western Power to further assess and develop Clean Energy Link transmission projects.

These projects aim to expand the SWIS by building new transmission lines across central, south, and northern regions.

The expansion is crucial to accommodate the growing demand for renewable
energy generation.

The Government said the investment would also go towards securing long-lead items, ensuring a smoother and more efficient project rollout and builds on
more than $4 billion invested in the past year towards wind farms, battery systems, and grid upgrades.

The Budget also recognises the need for energy development in remote and regional areas, with $147.6 million allocated to support the development of
common user network infrastructure in the North West Interconnected System.

Other Budget funding included:

• $18.4 million to deploy 50 Standalone Power Systems in Esperance and the Mid West, providing reliable power to these off-grid communities.
• $7.5 million for rebuilding the Blackstone remote community's power station, ensuring a stable energy source for its residents.
• $4.5 million to acquire existing power station assets in several remote communities, allowing for potential upgrades and improvements.

Energy Minister Reece Whitby said that by bolstering the electricity grid, supporting renewable energy projects, and addressing needs in remote areas, this
Budget paves the way for a more sustainable and secure energy future for all Western Australians.

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