Daily WA Electrical & Tech News Update – May 03, 2026
May 4, 2026
Daily WA Electrical & Tech News Update – May 05, 2026
May 13, 2026
Top WA Electrical and Tech News for May 04, 2026
Western Australia’s clean energy transition continues to gather pace, with major new federal support for renewable generation and batteries alongside strong progress in regional microgrid innovation. Here are the most significant developments from the past 24–48 hours across power, storage, renewables, and utilities.
Federal Scheme Supports 10 Major Renewable and Battery Projects in WA
The federal Capacity Investment Scheme has selected 10 new projects in Western Australia, delivering nearly 1.9 GW of renewable generation and 3.683 GWh of battery storage capacity. These projects will help strengthen the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) as coal-fired power stations retire and electricity demand continues to grow.
- Includes six wind farms totaling around 1.536 GW along with several solar-battery hybrid developments, including the 350 MW Killawarra Hybrid project and the 200 MW / 1,600 MWh Yathroo Battery.
- Projects represent more than $5 billion in investment, are expected to create around 7,000 construction jobs, and will generate enough electricity to power over one million WA households by 2030.
Horizon Power Advances Battery Rollout Across Regional and Remote WA
Horizon Power continues transforming its network of 34 microgrids spread across 2.3 million square kilometres by deploying batteries that store excess daytime solar energy for evening demand peaks. The rollout is rapidly reducing dependence on fossil fuel generators in regional towns and remote communities.
- The ReGen program is replacing ageing diesel systems with standalone solar and battery systems in Aboriginal communities, with early projects already cutting diesel consumption by tens of thousands of litres annually.
- Trials involving zinc-bromine and other non-lithium battery technologies are underway, enabling solar and storage systems to supply most electricity demand in locations such as Exmouth and Leonora while fossil fuels move into backup roles.
WA Grid Set to Benefit from Major Renewables and Storage Pipeline
Recent federal and state initiatives are driving a strong pipeline of wind, solar, and battery developments that will support the reliability of Western Australia’s South West Interconnected System (SWIS). The momentum highlights the state’s growing leadership in renewable integration ahead of coal retirements.
- Projects selected under the Capacity Investment Scheme exceeded original targets, with oversubscribed tenders delivering more renewable generation and storage capacity than initially planned.
- Combined with Horizon Power’s regional microgrid innovation, WA is increasingly positioning itself as a leader in high-renewables hybrid systems across both urban and remote electricity networks.
Western Australia’s energy sector continues to benefit from strong investment, practical innovation, and rapid progress in renewables, storage, and grid modernisation. With cleaner technologies expanding across both metropolitan and remote regions, the state is building a more reliable, affordable, and low-emissions electricity future.
