Renewables
Western Australia targets 75 percent renewables for main grid by 2030
Western Australia has doubled its renewable electricity goal for its main grid to 75 percent by the end of the decade.
Key points
- The new target doubles the previous goal of 40 percent renewable electricity.
- The state plans to exit coal-fired power entirely by the year 2030.
- A new affordability investment program will provide loans to manufacturers for solar and battery systems.
What happened
According to pv magazine, the Government of Western Australia has announced a revised target to source 75 percent of its electricity from renewable sources on the South West Interconnected System by the 2030-31 period. This objective replaces an earlier goal of 40 percent and coincides with the regional administration's plan to phase out coal-fired power generation entirely by 2030. Large-scale solar installations, wind farms, and battery storage projects will form the backbone of this transition.
To facilitate industrial participation, the state has introduced the Made in WA Energy Affordability Investment Program. This initiative offers low-orphic and low-interest loans reaching up to AUD 15 million, equivalent to $10.5 million, to assist local manufacturers in adopting solar and battery technologies alongside equipment upgrades.
State Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson described the target as a clear signal of intent aimed at driving private sector capital into the local market. Industry bodies, including Solutions for Climate WA and the Smart Energy Council, have expressed support for the policy, noting that clear targets provide the regulatory certainty required for developers and investors to commit capital.
What comes next
Stakeholders have emphasized that establishing a credible implementation framework is the next critical phase for the region. Industry representatives point out that expanding and reinforcing transmission infrastructure will determine the pace at which new generation and storage capacity can be integrated into the network. Ensuring that regional communities share equitably in the economic advantages of the transition remains a stated priority as project pipelines advance toward construction.
Why it matters
For energy investors and policymakers across emerging markets, sub-national renewable targets illustrate how regional jurisdictions can accelerate clean energy deployment through dedicated financial incentives and clear exit timelines for fossil fuels. While Western Australia maintains full electricity access and high per capita power consumption, sitting well above global averages where World Bank figures recorded electricity use at 3,708.5 kWh per person in 2024, its deliberate pivot toward a high-renewables grid backed by storage offers a structural blueprint for resource-rich economies managing complex energy transitions.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
26.7% of electricity in Australia was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
