WA allocates $25 million to ‘securing the poles and wires’ through local manufacturing

The Western Australian government has pledged $25 million in funding for manufacturing related to the energy transition ahead of the Thursday state budget.

According to a statement from treasurer Rita Saffioti and other ministers, the package will help diversify the state economy and “secur[e] the poles and wires” needed for the energy transition.

It includes:

• $10 million for a new factory in Forrestfield – “developed in consultation with established steel fabrication companies” – to supply WA-owned utility company Western Power with thousands of kilometres of transmission lines;
• $5 million through the Strategic Industries Fund to help secure a major local manufacturing hub in regional WA, known as the Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub (AMTECH); and
• $10 million for a Local Industry Development Fund, “helping Western Power achieve the highest level of commercially viable local content” and “establishing a government agency-led local content coordination group to drive a whole-of-government approach”.

“By ensuring we have the facilities to deliver the poles and wires needed for Western Australia’s energy transition, we are creating opportunities for local industry to scale up and provide steel components to the energy transition that would otherwise be sourced from overseas,” said premier Roger Cook.

Manufacturing minister Amber-Jade Sanderson (pictured) added: “We want to make more things here as we diversify our economy by leveraging our existing strengths.

“This will enable local suppliers to be engaged in long-term supply contracts – creating a pipeline of skilled jobs and delivering value for money with materials made right here in WA.”

Picture: credit wa.gov.au

Further reading

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