APA Group (ASX:APA) today welcomes the Western Australian Government’s announcement that it has been awarded Priority Project status for the delivery of electricity transmission in two corridors that will support decarbonisation across the Pilbara.
APA has been awarded Priority Project status for the Hamersley Range Corridor, which will connect APA’s Port Hedland and Newman Power Stations, and the Burrup (Murujuga) Corridor.
CEO and Group Managing Director, Adam Watson, said the announcement reflects APA’s position as the partner of choice for the delivery of energy infrastructure, its track record of delivery in Western Australia and the ongoing execution of its Pilbara and electricity transmission growth strategies.
“APA welcomes the opportunity to work with the Western Australian Government on its objectives to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and the rapid, orderly, and equitable transition to renewable energy in the Pilbara.
“We recognise the strategic importance of the region to Western Australia and the Australian economy. Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to working with customers to deliver affordable, reliable and lower emissions energy to Australian industry as the nation transitions.
“APA has a 25-plus-year history of delivering safe, reliable energy in the Pilbara and is committed to meaningful and ongoing engagement with Traditional Owners and local communities. We look forward to progressing these projects in partnership with the State Government, customers, local community, and other stakeholders.”
The transmission corridors to be delivered will play an essential role in achieving carbon reductions as part of the Western Australian Government’s Pilbara Energy Transition Plan (PETP). The PETP will play a central role in the accelerated decarbonisation of the Pilbara through delivery of new common-use electricity transmission in the region, accelerating the delivery of new renewables generation.
APA has nominated its East Pilbara Network Project (EPN) as an ideal candidate for the Hamersley Range Corridor. The EPN Project, when fully developed, will provide a “pit to port” common-use electricity transmission line from Newman to Port Hedland.
The EPN has been progressed by APA through ongoing strong engagement with customers, communities, and Traditional Owners along the proposed corridor. It is being designed as common-use infrastructure that can connect several large-scale renewable energy projects and align with major customer plans to accelerate decarbonisation efforts. The proposed route is near high-quality wind resources and offers opportunities to interconnect at port and to existing electricity networks inland.
APA will leverage its extensive energy infrastructure development experience to develop the Burrup (Murujuga) Corridor, which will connect the Burrup Peninsula to the broader North West Interconnected System via Karratha and the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area (SIA). APA will take a customer-led approach to develop and deliver the infrastructure required in this corridor.
The priority corridors identified by the State Government will be a critical first step to implement the PETP. APA will now work with the Western Australian Government to negotiate a Corridor Development Agreement, while further engaging customers, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders to understand requirements. APA will also work with the State Government and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to support the negotiation of an agreement for potential funding through the Rewiring the Nation (RTN) Fund.