The Western Australian Premier, the Hon Roger Cook, attended Pacific Energy’s Perth Airport manufacturing facility in connection with awarding the company up to $2.4 million in funding on behalf of his government’s Investment Attraction Fund (the Fund). Pacific Energy will use the grant to further develop its WA-based manufacturing capabilities and support the state’s economic diversification targets.
The Fund was set up to support the objectives of the state’s economic development framework, Diversify WA, and is aimed at creating local jobs and securing new investment opportunities that strengthen WA’s economy.
Pacific Energy, one of the state’s leading operators in the end-to-end provision of renewable energy (RE) and battery storage solutions, was selected to help the state meet its diversification targets in the priority energy sector, also intersecting with the mining and primary industries sectors. The grant recognises Pacific Energy’s ability to improve value and productivity across supply chain development, advanced manufacturing, science, innovation and technology.
Through its renewables division, Pacific Energy will use the grant to advance the capacity and output of its RE systems by improving automation, safety and production efficiencies at its Perth Airport manufacturing facility.
As one of the largest standalone power system (SPS) manufacturing facilities in the world, it was purpose built to facilitate the design, manufacture and testing of RE technologies, including battery energy storage systems. Automation and manufacturing upgrades will ensure Pacific Energy can continue to meet the growing demand for its RE systems from its existing partners, including state-owned operators like Western Power and Horizon Power.
The upgrades are also expected to help Pacific Energy reduce associated operating costs, giving the WA-based company a competitive edge that can help it progress Australian manufactured solutions in diverse markets.
“This important funding will help us expand our workforce and improve our delivery capabilities, offering us new opportunities to introduce Western Australian designed and manufactured products into new supply chains,” said Pacific Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Cullen.
“As we upscale our operations and advance our manufacturing processes, we will upscale the value and productivity we can deliver to the WA economy,” Mr Cullen said.
“It’s an exciting time to be growing a business in the energy sector, and we are grateful for the government’s support to help us future-proof our capabilities and commitments to WA’s energy transition.”
The Premier said his government would use the Investment Attraction Fund to drive a strong and diversified economy that delivers secure jobs for the future.
“We’re building on WA’s economic strengths, and embracing new and innovative industries – positioning our state at the forefront of the global energy transition.”
“We’re backing local companies to manufacture here in WA, to value-add, and to take on the world in developing high-tech products for the future.”
Pacific Energy will invest an equal contribution to the grant funding and roll out the co-funded activities over the next two years.