Great Sandy Desert Corridor
The State Government has identified four priority corridors for the development of new common use transmission infrastructure in the Pilbara.
The Great Sandy Desert Corridor will link Port Hedland with the western end of the Great Sandy Desert, connecting the Boodarie SIA with high-quality renewable resources to the east. This enhanced energy supply will be important in helping to grow the emerging green iron industry in the Boodarie SIA.
Expression of Interest Process
On 13 September 2024, an Expression of Interest process was launched, inviting project proponents within the four priority corridors identified by the State Government - including the Great Sandy Desert Corridor - to apply for Priority Project status as part of the Pilbara Energy Transmission (PET) Plan.
Submissions were assessed against State Government objectives, including decarbonising the Pilbara, delivering positive outcomes for Traditional Owners and local communities, supporting common use infrastructure, and timely delivery. Additional criteria included best practice engagement with impacted Traditional Owner groups and the inclusion of meaningful benefit-sharing options. Applications closed on Friday 25 October 2024. You can access the Application Guidelines below:
Priority Project Status
At the Pilbara Roundtable meeting in Port Hedland on 3 December 2024, the State Government announced the proponents that have been awarded Priority Project status for each of the four transmission corridors. Australian Renewable Energy Hub was the successful project proponent for the Great Sandy Desert Corridor and will now receive a recommendation to the Australian Government to be considered for concessional financing from WA’s allocation of up to $3 billion from Rewiring the Nation, administered by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
Rewiring the Nation
Rewiring the Nation is an Australian Government program to make clean energy more accessible and affordable for Australian consumers. The program invests to deliver new and upgraded grid infrastructure, providing finance at concessional rates to minimise the costs of these investments. The aim is to lower the cost of this essential infrastructure to consumers.
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