- Discussions with major South Korean companies on investment
- Modular housing construction, battery energy storage projects on agenda
- Cook Government, POSCO commit to further development of Port Hedland Iron Project
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has held talks with major South Korean companies that will deliver more jobs and business opportunities for Western Australians.
On the first day of a three-day visit, the Minister discussed opportunities for South Korean investment in modular housing construction and battery projects and further development of a hot briquetted iron project in the Pilbara.
The Cook Government is creating global investment opportunities as it diversifies and decarbonises the economy, driving the development of common-use infrastructure in its Pilbara Energy Transition Plan (PET) and expanding and upgrading electricity infrastructure through the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) Transmission Plan.
In talks yesterday, the State Government and South Korean steelmaking company POSCO reaffirmed their commitment to the development of the Port Hedland Iron Project, a $4.4 billion green iron proposal targeting commencement of operations in 2031.
The Government is working closely with POSCO to establish renewable energy options through the PET as the company progresses Native Title and environmental and land approvals for the project.
Minister Sanderson also met representatives from Samsung C&T, a leading global innovator in modular and off-site construction interested in expanding its modular capability into Western Australia.
Samsung C&T's modular business integrates high-precision prefabrication, digital engineering, and automated fabrication to reduce build times, lower emissions and improve cost-efficiency.
The Cook Government is accelerating housing supply and is supporting the development of modular housing because of its potential to provide greater housing diversity in infill areas, and improve supply in regional and remote areas.
Minister Sanderson discussed the opportunities for Samsung C&T to establish its own operation in Western Australia for supplying modular housing (and non-housing) solutions into the market, and partnering with existing Western Australian-based companies to share technologies and expertise for supply into the Western Australian market.
The Minister promoted Western Australia's energy and decarbonisation policies and related investment opportunities with a focus on Battery Energy Storage System projects in a meeting with global trading and resource development company LX International.
The meeting covered LX International's potential interest in long-term collaboration with Western Australia on grid modernisation, energy storage, and smart power systems to support emerging industrial hubs in the State.
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Diversifying and decarbonising Western Australia's economy is delivering enormous investment opportunities. I am encouraged by the meetings held so far that South Korean companies recognise these opportunities.
"South Korea is already one of Western Australia's largest trading partners, a relationship that can be progressed through advanced manufacturing and our clean energy transition.
"Attracting further investment has the potential to deliver more quality jobs and business opportunities for Western Australians."
