Western Australia Allocates $33.6M to Pioneering Clean Energy Projects

The Western Australian Government has pledged $33.6 million in funding to support five transformative decarbonisation initiatives across the state, including an innovative project aimed at helping remote communities generate their own power and cut dependence on diesel generators.

Stephen Dawson, WA’s Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy, highlighted that this project would receive $5 million as part of the state’s efforts to back groundbreaking clean energy solutions. The funding is distributed through the Lower Carbon Grants (LCG) – Gorgon Fund, aimed at driving forward the state’s sustainability goals.

The Lower Carbon Grants program is an integral component of the state’s Diversify WA: Future State Vision, which seeks to create a more sustainable and diversified economy. Out of more than 30 applications received through a rigorous expression of interest process, five projects were awarded conditional grant funding.

These projects span multiple sectors, including hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and technologies targeting emissions reduction in hard-to-abate industries. The grants range from $5 million to $15 million per project, supporting large-scale research and innovation that tackles greenhouse gas emissions and enhances the adoption of low-carbon technologies.

According to Minister Dawson, these projects could collectively eliminate over 1.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually — the equivalent of taking more than 400,000 vehicles off the roads.

The $33.6 million funding is part of a four-year, $40 million agreement between the WA Government and the Chevron-operated Gorgon Project, funded by the Gorgon Joint Venture. Chevron Australia’s Energy Transition General Manager, David Fallon, praised the initiative, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between industry and government to advance critical climate technologies.

“This partnership solidifies Western Australia’s position as a leader in global energy innovation while contributing to the world’s climate and energy objectives,” Fallon said.

Among the funded projects is the GreenTech Hub, a $4 million, four-year initiative spearheaded by Curtin University. Designed to boost statewide capabilities in green technologies, the hub aims to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy solutions.

The first challenge set by the GreenTech Hub focuses on developing advanced energy storage systems to reduce fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. This includes exploring long-duration and scalable storage technologies to provide stable and clean energy for both urban and remote areas.

Curtin University is collaborating with industry and academic leaders through innovation challenges and accelerator programs to identify and deploy these solutions.

Minister Dawson underscored the importance of the GreenTech Hub in fostering collaboration and entrepreneurship. “By connecting innovators, industry, and government, the hub will be a catalyst for driving green technologies and positioning Western Australia as a global leader in clean energy innovation,” he said.

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