Daily WA Electrical & Tech News Update – April 26, 2026
May 4, 2026
Daily WA Electrical & Tech News Update – April 28, 2026
May 4, 2026
Top WA Electrical and Tech News for April 27, 2026
Western Australia’s energy sector is buzzing with activity as the state accelerates its transition to cleaner, more reliable power. Over the past 48 hours, major government funding announcements, significant corporate investments in renewables and batteries, and grassroots community projects have highlighted the diverse momentum building across the grid, regional utilities, and off-grid solutions.
WA Government Launches $1.4 Billion Clean Energy Fund
The Cook Labor Government has detailed a $1.4 billion Clean Energy Fund in the 2026-27 State Budget to deliver cleaner, more affordable and reliable energy to households and businesses in the South West. The package focuses on critical transmission upgrades to unlock renewables and support economic growth.
- Clean Energy Link (CEL) projects will expand the South West Interconnected System, connecting new wind and solar east of Collie and delivering enough energy to power around 1 million homes, with CEL-East declared a priority project.
- CEL-North is under construction and on track for late 2027 completion, while CEL-Kwinana will support 900 MW of new demand; the initiatives are forecast to create about 800 local jobs during construction.
- Additional $7 million allocated to Horizon Power for renewable transitions in regional WA communities including the West Kimberley, Pilbara and other areas.
Fortescue Commits $952 Million to Pilbara Green Energy Project
Iron ore giant Fortescue has approved a $952 million investment in the Pilbara Green Energy Project, an off-grid renewable energy system paired with large-scale battery storage. The development aims to meet growing industrial demand while advancing the company’s decarbonisation goals.
- The project includes 200 MW of renewable generation and battery storage for firming, targeting demand from heavy industry and fast-growing data centres.
- Completion is anticipated by 2028 with potential multi-gigawatt expansion beyond 2030; it builds on the Green Grid backbone (1.2 GW solar, 600 MW wind, 4–5 GWh storage planned by 2028) and aligns with the Real Zero by 2030 strategy.
Djarindjin Community Plans Solar and Battery Microgrid for Energy Sovereignty
The remote Indigenous community of Djarindjin, 200 km north of Broome, is advancing plans for a multimillion-dollar solar and battery farm to achieve greater energy independence. Residents are pursuing community-owned renewable infrastructure to reduce reliance on diesel generators.
- The Aalga Goorlil (“sun turtle”) project aims to meet 80% of the community’s power needs with solar and battery storage.
- The Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation has already spent $2 million on feasibility studies and has submitted a business case to the WA Government.
Transmission Upgrades Unlock Renewables Across South West Grid
Supporting the Clean Energy Fund announcement, multiple Clean Energy Link projects are progressing to integrate higher volumes of wind and solar into WA’s main grid. These upgrades represent some of the most significant grid modernisation efforts in the state’s isolated South West Interconnected System.
- CEL-East, CEL-North and CEL-Kwinana combined will enable approximately 3 GW of renewable energy to flow into the grid.
- The projects include new high-capacity transmission lines, terminals, substations and transformers to support both household supply and industrial demand growth.
These stories reflect an exciting period of collaboration across government, industry and communities in Western Australia. With substantial funding, major private investment and local innovation driving battery storage, grid expansion and renewable integration, the state is well positioned to build a more resilient, affordable and sustainable energy future for all West Australians.
