Western Australia’s Energy Systems
What do WA's energy systems look like?
Our energy systems are unique from the rest of the country. In addition to over 150 small off-grid systems, WA has two major electricity systems - both of which are extremely geographically isolated. Unlike the other states and territories, none of our systems connect to the national Australian energy grid.
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South West Interconnected System
The South West Interconnected System (SWIS) covers the south-west part of WA and its surrounds. One of the most isolated large electricity grids in the world, the SWIS runs from Kalbarri in the north to Albany in the south and Kalgoorlie in the east. It covers all of metropolitan Perth and powers the lives of over 90% of WA’s population.
North West Interconnected System
Located in the Pilbara region in northern WA, the North West Interconnected System (NWIS) connects major towns and industrial areas, including Port Hedland, Karratha and Newman. It supplies electricity to key mining, mineral processing, and export operations, as well as some local communities.
Remote and regional power
WA is a vast place, with communities and towns spread across every corner of our State. This means that, outside our two largest energy systems, the way electricity is supplied looks very different from other parts of Australia. Altogether, there are over 150 off-grid energy systems spread across WA.
Goldfields
The Goldfields are rapidly becoming an international hub for the resources that underpin the technologies at the heart of the global clean energy transition. To play this new role, the Goldfields will need upgraded electricity infrastructure and secure and reliable local energy.
Why is the energy transition happening?
Our population is growing and our industries are expanding with new opportunities emerging in sectors like advanced manufacturing, green steel and critical minerals.
At the same time, rising temperatures and extreme weather are increasing our energy use and putting pressure on our electricity systems. State Government modelling shows we’ll need up to five times more electricity on our main grid within 20 years compared with 2022 levels.
WA is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, meaning we need to switch to less-polluting sources of electricity. By investing in wind and solar backed by storage and gas, we can meet this rising demand, cut our emissions and power our State’s growing economy.
What does the energy transition mean for me and my community?
The energy transition will create new opportunities for regional communities hosting renewable infrastructure projects. This includes jobs and employment, growing local businesses and community benefits like infrastructure investment. While this will lead to changes in local landscapes, the State Government is committed to ensuring that host communities can realise opportunities from the transition. To support this, PoweringWA has released the Community Benefits Guideline to help communities share in the economic benefits of new renewable energy developments.
