Daily WA Electrical & Tech News Update – May 11, 2026
May 13, 2026
Daily WA Electrical & Tech News Update – May 13, 2026
May 14, 2026
Top WA Electrical and Tech News for May 10, 2026
Western Australia continues accelerating its clean energy transition, with major renewable approvals, large-scale grid expansion projects, and updated connection standards shaping the future of the state’s electricity system. Here are the most important developments from the past 48 hours and recent policy updates across generation, transmission, storage, and demand management.
Ten Major Renewable and Battery Projects Approved
The Australian Government has approved ten new clean energy projects under the Capacity Investment Scheme (Tenders 5 and 6), significantly increasing renewable generation and battery storage capacity in Western Australia’s Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) as coal generation continues to retire.
- Approximately 1.886 GW of renewable generation and 3.683 GWh of standalone battery storage have been approved across multiple projects.
- Key developments include wind farms such as the 420 MW Yathroo Wind Farm, 240 MW Tathra Wind Farm, and the 350 MW solar plus 2,100 MWh Killawarra Hybrid Project, alongside additional wind, solar, and battery installations across regional WA.
- The projects are expected to supply electricity to more than one million households, support peak demand for over 400,000 homes for up to four hours, and generate over 7,000 construction jobs along with 500+ ongoing operational roles.
Western Power Accelerates Grid Buildout Ahead of Coal Exit
Western Power is advancing major transmission infrastructure upgrades through the Clean Energy Link (CEL) program to integrate increasing volumes of renewable energy and support the planned retirement of coal-fired generation assets.
- CEL–East will expand the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) to connect new renewable projects east of Collie, with completion targeted for 2029.
- CEL–North is expected to be completed by late 2027, unlocking additional renewable energy zones between Malaga and Three Springs in the Mid West.
- Combined transmission expansion projects are expected to enable up to 3 GW of additional renewable energy capacity and support supply for approximately one million homes.
$1.4 Billion Clean Energy Fund to Drive Decarbonisation
The Western Australian Government’s proposed $1.4 billion Clean Energy Fund will support transmission expansion, renewable integration, and regional energy transition projects across the state.
- Funding priorities include CEL–East, CEL–North, and CEL–Kwinana projects to support growing electricity demand in industrial and urban hubs such as the Western Trade Coast.
- An additional $7 million allocation supports Horizon Power’s renewable energy programs in regional communities across Western Australia.
- The fund aims to deliver lower-emissions electricity, improved reliability, and long-term economic diversification through clean energy investment.
New Solar and Battery Connection Rules Now Active
Updated technical standards for small-scale solar and battery systems connected to Western Power’s network came into effect in early May 2026, introducing new requirements designed to improve grid stability and enable more flexible participation in distributed energy markets.
- New rules introduce combined inverter capacity limits and allow network operators to manage solar exports during periods of grid congestion.
- Changes support larger rooftop solar and battery installations while maintaining system reliability and safety standards.
- The updates strengthen integration of distributed energy resources (DER), including household batteries, across the SWIS network.
Western Australia’s energy transition continues to accelerate through coordinated investment in generation, transmission, and distributed energy systems. With strong government backing and large-scale infrastructure delivery now underway, the state is positioning itself for a more reliable, flexible, and low-emissions electricity future supported by modern grid technologies and growing renewable capacity.
