Amber-Jade Sanderson: WA primed for growth in global green energy transition
From wind and solar to big batteries and hydrogen, WA has a plan to achieve net zero by 2050.
The Cook Government is embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by the energy transition.
Our natural resources underpin our prosperity, drive our national economy, and supply the world. With that responsibility comes a share of emissions that are not just our own.
Reducing these emissions will be good for West Australians and good for the world.
We remain committed to achieving net zero through a credible trajectory — a trajectory specific to WA, not based on what other States and Territories are doing or think they can do.
WA is the only State committed to getting out of coal by 2030, and we are on track to do that, reducing emissions from State-owned electricity generation by about 80 per cent by 2030.
The global energy transition is an unprecedented opportunity to grow WA's economy, and create and sustain new, high-value jobs for the future.
Our job is supporting our heavy industry to decarbonise to meet national emissions targets. We do that by investing in technology and transformational renewable energy projects, such as Synergy's big battery program, Pilbara Energy Transition, Pilbara Hydrogen Hub and the Vanadium battery in Kalgoorlie to name just a few. Not only is it an energy transition, it is the next economic transition. It will create and transition jobs in emerging green industries including batteries and critical minerals, hydrogen and ammonia and green metals.
As a resource-rich State with an abundance of land, solar and wind required for renewable power generation, WA is primed to become a global renewable energy powerhouse.
The Cook Government has committed $5.7 billion to renewable energy projects including transmission upgrades to replace coal-fired power stations while remaining realistic that we will need gas as a transition fuel.
This transition is a whole-of-government priority.
Collie's transition is a world-leading example of how governments can support local communities through the transition, ensuring they have sustainable industries and jobs.
Our commitment to net zero is serious, and so is our Made in WA plan. Our reform agenda is focused on providing the settings that allow us to harness the State's natural resources to drive the clean energy transition, diversify the economy, and supply the world with the minerals and energy needed to decarbonise.
I agree with Professor Peter Newman, who wrote in these pages in May on one point: green hydrogen is needed in industry, agriculture and mining to assist in the energy transition.
That's why I attended the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam last month to deliver the message that WA's ambition to develop a world-class hydrogen industry is stronger than ever.
We are looking for partners willing to engage and invest and in response we can act to de-risk multiple projects at the same time, giving proponents greater certainty around access to critical infrastructure, reliable and affordable clean energy, and long-term offtake partners.
We have a plan to achieve net-zero; it is a Made in WA plan.
Amber-Jade Sanderson is the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.
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