The West Australian Government has announced the northern suburb of Alkimos as its preferred location for its third desalination plant. It will be powered by renewable wind energy and provide safe, secure drinking water to millions of Western Australians.
Premier Mark McGowan said, “The new renewable-powered desalination plant continues my government’s investments in climate action to support WA’s long-term future.”
Proposed on Water Corporation land northeast of Alkimos Beach and subject to environmental approval, the plant will be capable of delivering 100 billion litres of drinking water every year to support the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS).
Water Minister Dave Kelly said, “Not only will the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant provide an eventual 100 billion litres of drinking water annually, but it will also reduce reliance on precious groundwater to help protect our lakes, wetlands, bushland and parks.”
Desalination plant adds to broader net zero goals
The Water Corporation will also secure up to 400 megawatts of additional renewable wind energy. The additional 400MW of renewable energy was part of the Government’s $3.8 billion investment in renewable power generation and storage announced last week.
This will support the utility in meeting the new Government emission target of 80 per cent below 2020 emission levels by 2030.
In addition, the Water Corporation is committing to a new, earlier net-zero greenhouse gas target across all operations by 2035.
Kelly said, “Desalination is energy-intensive. That’s why it’s significant that Water Corporation has set itself a target of net-zero by 2035. All three desalination plants will be powered by renewable energy.”
The new plant’s design aims to protect the surrounding environment and cultural heritage. It also seeks to meet community expectations. It will be sunken behind large, vegetated sand dunes to shield it from view and buffer noise. A special tunnel boring technique will limit seabed and beach disturbance during construction.
A detailed Environmental Review Document for the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant is currently with the WA Environmental Protection Authority for assessment.
The McGowan Government has already allocated $1.4 billion towards a significant down payment on the project.
The IWSS currently provides drinking water to around 2.5 million Western Australians across Perth, Peel, some parts of the South-West. It also goes as far east as Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
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