Western Australia’s 2025–26 State Budget includes $20 million for transmission infrastructure manufacturing.
The state says it wants to support the local production of poles, wires and other components.
A $10 million allocation will kickstart development of an advanced manufacturing facility in Forrestfield. The facility is intended to supply Western Power with the steel poles and transmission infrastructure required to meet demand as WA moves away from fossil fuels. It will be developed in collaboration with existing steel fabrication firms to ensure compatibility with industry needs.
Alongside this, $5 million from the Strategic Industries Fund will support planning for a second manufacturing hub – the Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub (AMTECH) in Picton.
The South West facility will form part of a broader manufacturing network, with the State Government and industry working jointly to determine product division across both sites.
The initiative aligns with the Cook Government’s Made in WA strategy, which prioritises local procurement and manufacturing capacity to build resilience into WA’s supply chains. Western Power will serve as a foundational customer for both Forrestfield and Picton facilities.
To further boost local industry participation, an additional $10 million will fund a Local Industry Development Fund.
This includes the formation of a government agency-led coordination group aimed at ensuring high levels of commercially viable local content in the energy sector’s infrastructure rollout.
The facilities aim to underpin future-proofed, long-term manufacturing capability, delivering a steady pipeline of infrastructure components.
With demand for transmission assets expected to surge, localising production is also expected to cut lead times, reduce supply chain risks, and support decarbonisation.
