Cook Labor Government to build Western Power infrastructure in WA

Roger Cook and WA Labor will boost local jobs by manufacturing the thousands of kilometres of power lines needed for the energy transition locally - establishing two State-backed Western Power manufacturing facilities in Picton and Forrestfield.
  • Transmission lines and steel infrastructure to be locally made in Picton and Forrestfield
  • Local manufacturing companies to be backed to build in WA, displacing overseas imports
  • Creation of State’s first dedicated advanced manufacturing, technology and renewables hub

Roger Cook and WA Labor will boost local jobs by manufacturing the thousands of kilometres of power lines needed for the energy transition locally - establishing two State-backed Western Power manufacturing facilities in Picton and Forrestfield.

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will invest $75 million to develop these steel fabrication facilities in conjunction with WA companies, backing local industry to make more things in WA.

The Western Power Manufacturing Facility - Picton will become the anchor tenant for the new Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub (AMTECH) precinct, which will become a future jobs hub for the Greater Bunbury region.

The Western Power Manufacturing Facility - Forrestfield will leverage existing local steel fabrication capacity in the metropolitan area, engaging quality WA businesses to build transmission components locally.

Thousands of kilometres of new transmission lines will be required to deliver WA’s energy transition by connecting the grid to key wind zones in the South West, Mid West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern.

This will require thousands of steel lattice towers and steel poles by 2032 and more as the energy transition progresses.

The two manufacturing facilities will assist WA industry to scale up by establishing long-term contracts to deliver a pipeline of local jobs for locally made products – which would otherwise be sourced from overseas.

The Cook Labor Government has helped to build significant capacity and jobs in local manufacturing through the delivery of METRONET track components and locally fabricated bridges. A re-elected Cook Government will leverage this capability and re-direct it to the delivery of locally made transmission infrastructure.

The new Western Power manufacturing facilities will unlock the capacity of local steel fabricators to manufacture transmission components at scale locally. They will manufacture transmission components such as lattice towers, pile reinforcement cages, poles, wires and substation components.

The AMTECH precinct will be a gamechanger for South West jobs, leveraging common-use infrastructure, port and rail access and Greater Bunbury’s skilled local workforce. The facility will also invite interest from wind turbine developers to build footings, towers and turbines locally.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“To set WA up for the future we need to make more things here and that’s why we’re establishing two dedicated facilities to manufacture equipment to deliver the energy transition."

“We already have the capability when it comes to steel fabrication and we will leverage and expand local industry to support more locally made materials and more WA jobs."

“The AMTECH precinct will be a gamechanger for South West jobs, delivering WA’s first advanced manufacturing, technology and renewables hub."

“WA Labor saved Western Power from the Liberals’ privatisation agenda, and if re-elected we will ensure it not only remains in public hands but creates a strong pipeline of future jobs for Western Australians.”

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