The Western Australian government says it will establish a $1.4 billion Clean Energy Fund to support a range of projects aimed at expanding access to clean, affordable and reliable energy across the State, particularly in the South West.
According to a media release, the fund will be detailed in the 2026–27 State Budget and is expected to back major initiatives including Clean Energy Link (CEL) – East, which will expand the South West Interconnected System and bring more renewable energy into Perth and surrounding regions.
The government said CEL – North is already under construction, connecting Malaga and Three Springs through high-capacity transmission infrastructure designed to unlock renewable energy flows from the Mid West.
The next stage, CEL – East, is planned to connect new wind and solar developments east of Collie and is expected to deliver enough energy to power about one million homes once complete.
Both CEL – North and CEL – East are set to be declared priority projects under the State Development Act 2025, a move the government says will streamline approvals, improve coordination across agencies and support timely delivery.
Clean Energy Link – Kwinana is also expected to receive priority status, with infrastructure to support up to 900 megawatts of new energy demand in the Western Trade Coast.
The government said the combined CEL – North and CEL – East projects are expected to deliver around three gigawatts of renewable energy capacity and create approximately 800 local jobs during construction. CEL – North is scheduled for completion in late 2027, while CEL – East is anticipated to be operational by the end of 2029.
Additional funding of $7 million is also expected to be allocated to Horizon Power to support renewable energy transitions in regional areas including the West Kimberley, Coral Bay, Hopetoun, Denham and the Pilbara.
Premier Roger Cook said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader economic strategy.
“My government’s vision is to keep Western Australia’s economy the strongest in the nation,” Cook said. “This requires a secure supply of clean, reliable and affordable energy for households and businesses, which is what we will deliver with our $1.4 billion Clean Energy Fund and declaration of Clean Energy Link – East as a priority project under the State Development Act 2025.”
“Together, these steps will ensure our State is capable of supporting the population growth and industrial development needed to remain the strongest economy in the nation,” he said.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the projects would support both economic activity and workforce development.
“This critical project will create hundreds of local jobs and allow us to capitalise on our State’s abundant wind and solar resources,” Sanderson said. “Clean Energy Link – East is a massive grid expansion for the State, which will deliver enough energy to power around one million homes and support industry to access cheaper, cleaner energy.”
She added that the projects would “directly support the WA economy, providing local jobs and upskilling opportunities to our current and future workforce.”
