The Western Australian Government has awarded power and communications infrastructure provider GenusPlus (ASX:GNP) a $270 million contract to build the first parts of Clean Energy Link – North.
Funding for Clean Energy Link forms part of the Cook Labor government’s $5.7 billion investment in onshore wind, large-scale battery storage and new transmission projects since 2017.
Through the contract, GenusPlus will expand the South West Interconnected System’s (SWIS) northern section to allow for more clean energy generation in the Mid West.
The $270 million contract includes the design and construction of two new terminals at Regans Ford and Eneabba and an associated line, and augmentation of the existing 330kV Northern and Eneabba terminals.
The work will begin in January 2025 with scheduled completion expected mid-2027. Peak manning resources are expected to be 140, to be sourced mostly from GenusPlus’s existing workforce.
Genus Managing Director David Riches says the contract extends the company’s long-standing relationship with Western Power as it undertakes these works on Clean Energy Link North.
“Genus has worked with Western Power for many years and is very pleased to have secured this project and to be able to continue working with Western Power on a project that is very important to Western Australia as it moves towards a clean energy future,” Riches says.
Western Power CEO Sam Barbaro adds that the state-owned entity is working at pace to help expedite the transition to a sustainable energy system, paving the way for community and industry to reach their decarbonisation goals.
“We’re continually investigating network capacity expansion and strengthening options that maximise the use of existing network infrastructure, corridors, and easements and minimise impacts on the communities and the environment,” Barbaro continues.
Energy Minister Reece Whitby says the Clean Energy Link project will benefit a host of projects in the region, including the $400 million expansion of Warradarge Wind Farm, which is owned by Bright Energy Investments, a joint venture between Synergy, Cbus Super, and CVC DIF.
The Western Australian Government is investing significantly in the upgrade of the state’s main electricity network to unlock renewable energy generation opportunities and facilitate decarbonisation.
Strengthening the northern transmission network is critical, with modelling indicating a tenfold increase in renewable generation may be needed to meet future low-emissions electricity demand
Whitby says collectively, the aforementioned projects will ensure Western Australia is well prepared for future growth and able to retire all state-owned coal-fired power plants by 2030.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: iStock
