CME is continuing to participate in the development of the Infrastructure WA (IWA) State Infrastructure Strategy through the Stakeholder Reference Group. IWA is seeking feedback on significant, strategically aligned or transformational infrastructure investments (build and non-build) to ensure WA can leverage identified areas of strategic opportunity.
IWA is open to meeting one-on-one with companies or as a group. If you have not already engaged with IWA and would like to arrange a meeting, contact a.labombard@cmewa.com .
Some media releases you may have missed:
- Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility – The extension amendment bill has been introduced into Parliament, which gives effect to previous announcements in July, September, December 2020 and February 2021.
- Future Fuels Fund – The first round has been launched by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), which will make $16.5 million available for funding battery electric vehicle public fast charging infrastructure in capital cities and regional centres. Applications close 6 April 2021.
- Hydrogen technology clusters – A $1.85 million investment into a network of 13 regional clusters has been unveiled, three of which are in WA.
– $200k to WA Hydrogen Technology Cluster, Hydrogen Society of Australia on behalf of a consortium
– $75k to Karratha Hydrogen Technology Cluster, City of Karratha with support from Yara Pilbara Fertilisers
– $75k to Peel and SW Metro Hydrogen Technology Cluster, Murdoch University
– Yara – Received $995k in funding from ARENA to progress their joint feasibility study with ENGIE. - APA Group – Announced a landmark hydrogen pilot project to convert 43 kilometres of the Parmelia Gas Pipeline into Australia’s first 100 per cent hydrogen-ready transmission pipeline, targeting testing and research to be completed in late 2022.
Future Fuels Strategy
A reminder for members interested in deploying hydrogen, bio-fuelled or battery electric vehicle (EV) fleets to provide feedback on the discussion paper to L.Nguyen@cmewa.com before 31 March 2021.
Some of the discussion paper’s questions include:
- What are the priority charging and refuelling infrastructure blackspots?
- What are the main barriers to adding new technologies into light and heavy-duty vehicle fleets?
- What additional guidance do businesses need on EV taxation matters?
- What are the priority issues in integrating large numbers of battery EVS into the electricity grid? e.g. security and bidirectional issues.
- What are the opportunities for tariff reform to support rollout of public infrastructure?
- What are Australia’s market niches in future fuels to maximise high-value domestic and export outcomes?
