Opportunities for Industry
Shifting to renewables does not mean compromising the security and reliability of our power supply. Instead, it means building smarter, cleaner systems while maintaining strong, reliable energy. But to deliver, we need new energy generation, storage and transmission projects at scale, spread across the State. This means there are exciting new opportunities for industry and investors in Western Australia. PoweringWA will work with private sector investors and project developers to help smooth the path for new energy projects.
Investors
Significant investment in electricity infrastructure is required to deliver a low emissions electricity supply for WA.
Developers
PoweringWA will work with renewable generation, energy storage and transmission developers to overcome roadblocks and streamline processes to support project delivery.
Generators
New wind, solar and flexible gas projects will be crucial to meeting growing demand for energy. There is a significant opportunity for investment in new generation projects as we modernise our energy systems.
Do business
WA offers a diverse range of opportunities for business development, trade, and investment. Our strategic location, strong global trade relationships, stable governance environment and commitment to future-focused development, makes WA the ideal place to invest and expand your business.
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The regulatory mechanisms driving WA’s energy transition
Capacity Investment Scheme
The Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) is a Commonwealth Government initiative to support the delivery of the new renewable projects that will underpin Australia’s low emissions energy future. Through the Scheme, the Commonwealth Government seeks competitive offers for renewable generation and storage projects to fill expected reliability gaps. In WA, the CIS is closely integrated with the Reserve Capacity Mechanism - all CIS projects in WA are required to participate. Projects that participate in the CIS are offered long-term Commonwealth underwriting agreements for an agreed revenue ‘floor’ and ‘ceiling’. This acts as a financial safety net to support developers at a crucial period in the energy transition.
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Wholesale Electricity Market
The Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) is the market for energy within WA's main grid, the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), supplying about 20 terawatt hours of electricity every year. By encouraging private investment and competition, the market provides electricity generators and wholesale purchasers (including energy retailers like Synergy) with greater flexibility, fostering a modern, competitive energy landscape in WA’s main grid. The Australian Energy Market Operator is responsible for operating the WEM in accordance with the Electricity System and Market Rules and other related WEM Procedures.
Reserve Capacity Mechanism
Managed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the Reserve Capacity Mechanism is one of the unique features that makes the WEM different from the National Electricity Market (NEM). While the NEM pays generators just for the energy they produce, facilities in the WEM can also receive payments to help ensure there is sufficient generation capacity to meet energy demand during extreme peak periods. AEMO certifies facilities to provide this reserve capacity two years ahead of time. Certified facilities then receive payments for helping make sure there is enough capacity to meet the forecast peak demand for a given year.
