The State Government’s $22.5 million overhaul of WA’s regulatory approval pathway has kicked off with the launch of a new green energy approvals team in charge of reducing project compliance timeframes.

The Government’s Green Energy Initiative is designed to deliver “better and more timely” environmental approvals that will facilitate investment in, and development of, WA’s green energy industries while protecting the environment. It will help deliver coordinated, cross-government support for proponents and investors. 

WA Premier Hon Roger Cook says the initiative will drive a green industries boom in WA. 

“This new, streamlined approvals pathway will ensure WA continues to be a destination of choice for renewable industry investors,” he says. 

Hydrogen leading the charge 

More than 40 green energy projects are currently being assessed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, with over 30 more expected in the next 12 months. The new process will be trialled on some of these projects. The majority are renewable hydrogen proposals, with wind energy, lithium mining and some critical minerals processing proposals also prominent. 

A Green Energy Major Projects Group will sit within the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation as a first point of contact to help steer projects and investors through government processes. 

A Green Energy Expert Panel comprising government and industry will provide the independent Environmental Protection Authority with the information needed to progress approvals. 

Hydrogen Industry Minister Hon Bill Johnston expects WA to become a world leader in the emerging hydrogen industry. 

“This unique cross-agency collaborative framework has created the right environment for hydrogen and renewable energy production, which will play a significant role in bringing us closer to a carbon neutral State,” he says. 

Want to find out more about climate change and reducing your emissions for your business? Go to climate.cciwa.com