The project, located in Keralup, 53 kilometres south of Perth, will be split into a 210-megawatt temporary facility and a 660-megawatt facility intended to power a large grid-scale battery. According to documents submitted by APA to the Environmental Protection Authority, the temporary plant is designed to meet an 'expected immediate need for reliable power before grid connection can be established'. The facility is expected to start running in 2027 for a period of three to five years, though the industrial client relying on the power has not been named.
The announcement landed on the same day Premier Roger Cook released the government's long-awaited renewable energy target for the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). The target aims to boost the share of renewables on the grid from 40 per cent to 75 per cent over the next five years, supported by major wind projects and backed by gas to maintain system reliability. The new target is part of the Premier's plan to close state-owned coal-fired power stations in Collie by 2030.
The government's plan drew contrasting reactions. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA called for the target to be flexible. 'The cost of keeping the system reliable can rise quickly as renewables take a bigger share,' the chamber's chief executive said. 'If costs climb faster than expected, the government should be willing to adjust both the timing and the target in order to prioritise affordability.'
In contrast, Solutions for Climate WA Director Jess Panegyros welcomed the new goal. 'Today's announcement makes it clear that the future of our electricity system is renewables,' she said. 'This is a win for the community and electricity consumers, and is an important step forward for WA's clean energy transition.'
APA's proposal would consume around 150 terajoules of gas per day, equivalent to about 10 per cent of the state's current daily usage, raising questions about near-term emissions while the state pursues a long-term clean energy transition.