Western Australia sets 75 per cent renewable energy target by 2031

The Western Australian state government established a formal target on Tuesday to achieve 75 per cent renewable energy by 2030/31, RenewEconomy reported. The state policy aims to encourage private investment in clean energy infrastructure as Western Australia prepares to shut down its remaining state owned coal generators by the end of the decade. [1]

According to RenewEconomy, the state government has vowed to close the last of its state owned coal-fired power stations by the time the 2030/31 target takes effect. The announcement marks a significant shift in energy policy for the state. [1]

Renewable energy targets are legislated schemes that require electricity suppliers to source specified amounts of their total power sales from renewable sources within a fixed time frame. These schemes are designed to increase renewable energy generation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, with program costs typically passed on to electricity consumers rather than funded through state budgets. [4]

RenewEconomy noted that Western Australia previously experienced a prolonged period of low renewable energy investment following the opening of the Greenough River solar farm near Geraldton in 2012. The current Labor state government has since sought to restart clean energy developments across the region. [1]