MAJOR players in Pilbara industry, including significant resources exporters, have agreed on common use electricity infrastructure in the region.
The agreement among Pilbara Industry Roundtable members recognises the importance of supporting increased use of renewable energy in the Pilbara.
Members of the PIR include Western Australian minister for energy Bill Johnston and representatives from Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue, Roy Hill, Woodside Energy, Horizon Power, Alinta Energy, bp, TransAlta, Pilbara Independent System Operator Company, and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.
The PIR met four times in the past year to oversee a works program modelling future electricity demand scenarios.
It assessed the current regulatory framework, examined land tenure arrangements, and explored social licence with a focus on empowering local Aboriginal people.
The PIR agreement recognises the challenges and opportunities that decarbonisation presents for industry and the region.
State energy minister Bill Johnston said the agreement is a historic accord between government and key industry players in the Pilbara, recognising that to reach our ambitious decarbonisation goals common use electrical infrastructure is key.
“This is a landmark agreement for our clean energy future and the economic development of the Pilbara and our state,” he said.
“The agreement recognises that electrical infrastructure development should empower local Aboriginal groups.”
WA climate action minister Reece Whitby said the agreement was a significant step towards a clean energy future.
“It’s important we work together with major resources companies to reach our ambitious decarbonisation targets,” he said.
