Pacific Energy has been awarded $2.4 million in funding under the Western Australian (WA) Government’s Investment Attraction Fund.
The announcement was made by Premier Roger Cook at Pacific Energy’s Perth Airport manufacturing facility.
According to Pacific Energy, it will utilise the award to expand its manufacturing capabilities in WA and to assist the State’s economic diversification goals.
The Investment Attraction Fund was established to support the goals of the State’s economic growth framework, Diversify WA, and is focused on creating local jobs and obtaining new investment opportunities that will boost the WA economy.
The company said it was chosen to assist the State in meeting its diversification aims in the key energy sector, which also intersects with the mining and primary industries sectors. Pacific Energy added that the award recognises its capacity to increase value and productivity in supply chain development, advanced manufacturing, science, innovation, and technology.
Pacific Energy will utilise the award through its renewables division to increase the capacity and output of its renewable energy systems by boosting automation, safety, and production efficiency at its Perth Airport manufacturing facility.
It was purpose-built as one of the world’s biggest standalone power system (SPS) production facilities to allow the design, manufacture, and testing of renewable energy technologies such as battery energy storage systems. Automation and manufacturing advancements will guarantee that Pacific Energy can continue to fulfil the increased demand for its RE systems from its existing partners, including State-owned utilities such as Western Power and Horizon Power.
The upgrades are also expected to assist Pacific Energy in cutting related operational costs, providing the WA-based firm with a competitive advantage that will allow it to advance Australian-made solutions in diverse markets.
Pacific Energy CEO Jamie Cullen said the funding will assist the company in expanding its workforce and enhancing delivery capabilities, offering the company new opportunities to introduce WA-designed and manufactured products into new supply chains.
“As we upscale our operations and advance our manufacturing processes, we will upscale the value and productivity we can deliver to the WA economy,” Cullen stated.
“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,” he added.
Premier Cook said the State Government will utilise the Investment Attraction Fund to build a strong and diverse economy that provides jobs in 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,” the Premier stated.
“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,” he added.
Pacific Energy will match the grant funding and implement the co-funded initiatives over the following two years.
