The Western Australian Government has unveiled a $153.3 million low-interest loan pool aimed at shielding local industry from volatile energy markets.
Premier Roger Cook announced the WA Energy Affordability Investment Program on March 10 at the Energy Exchange Australia conference, citing energy security and surging fuel prices—driven by ongoing conflict in Iran—as the primary catalysts for the initiative.
The program allows manufacturers to apply for loans of up to $15 million to offset the costs of commercial solar installations, industrial batteries, or advanced automated equipment.
The financial lever is designed to bolster the State Government's broader "Made in WA" agenda, incentivising businesses to modernise infrastructure while reducing long-term overheads.
According to the Premier, the fund serves as a direct response to the "number one issue" raised during last year’s trade and economic resilience roundtable.
That high-level summit, held in June, convened five cabinet ministers and over 30 industry leaders spanning the iron ore, oil and gas, property, and agriculture sectors.
While some industry analysts have questioned whether a $15 million cap provides sufficient scale for major industrial players, Cook framed the initial rollout as a litmus test for the sector.
"I hope businesses do overwhelm us with applications," he remarked, suggesting that high demand would likely trigger subsequent funding rounds.
By providing accessible capital for energy-efficient upgrades, the government aims to stabilise the state's economic resilience against global supply chain shocks.