McGowan Government launches Future Battery Industry Strategy
11 February 2019
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McGowan Government delivers on election commitment to develop a Western Australian Future Battery Industry Strategy
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Strategy will grow the State into a leading exporter of future battery minerals, materials, technologies and expertise
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It will create jobs, diversification and skills development, and benefit locals State-wide
WA Government:
Premier Mark McGowan and Mines and Petroleum Minister
Bill Johnston today launched the Western Australian Future Battery
Industry Strategy to grow the State into a world-leading exporter of
future
battery minerals, materials, technologies and expertise.
Increased demand for
electric vehicles and
energy storage systems has
created a unique opportunity for
Western Australia to become a central player in the global battery
value chain.
The McGowan Government's Future Battery Industry Ministerial Taskforce
has engaged closely with government, industry, research organisations
and the community to deliver this strategy that aims to unlock the
State's potential in this growing sector.
One of the first initiatives of the strategy the McGowan Government will
implement is the development and implementation of an investment
attraction strategy - to further develop and strengthen relationships
with investors and manufacturers in global battery and electric vehicle
supply chains.
The McGowan Government will continue to facilitate the establishment of
new future battery projects in WA - assisting and supporting projects
through the approvals process.
The next steps for the Government include filling current and future
skill gaps, and facilitating access to infrastructure and funding for
technology SMEs.
Other measures include exploring initiatives to increase the uptake of
batteries across the State and globally. These include opportunities
through assembly, installation and management of energy storage systems.
Additionally, the McGowan Government will commit $6 million if it is
successful in its bid to host the Future Battery Industries Cooperative
Research Centre in
Perth.
Western Australia is the world's largest producer of lithium and a
leading producer of other battery metals including nickel, cobalt and
rare earths.
For a copy of the strategy, visit
https://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/fbis
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"The unprecedented growth of the future battery industry represents a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Western Australia.
"Our Future Battery Industry Strategy will drive the development of the
Western Australian battery materials industry that will create local
jobs, contribute to skills development and economic diversification, and
maximise benefits to regional communities.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Western Australia to be recognised
as a world-leading producer and exporter of future battery materials,
technologies and expertise, with huge potential for industry growth and
job creation across the battery value chain."
Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill
Johnston:
"The Future Battery Industry Strategy signifies the McGowan Government's
commitment to establishing a world-leading, sustainable, value-adding
battery industry in our State.
"The growing global demand for battery technologies presents an
opportunity for Western Australia to build on its expertise in the
resources industry and move further along the value chain into
downstream processing activities.
"Western Australia has all the battery minerals you need to make
batteries and energy technologies, we also have a stable and robust
economy with low sovereign-risk, and we're world-leaders in research and
development."
Comments attributed to Science Minister Dave Kelly:
"This strategy focuses on how we can achieve a sustainable industry that
promotes local business and innovation, and reinforces the strength of
Western Australia's research and technology sector.
"The McGowan Government is a major supporter of the Future Battery
Industries CRC bid as it will contribute industry focused research to
Western Australian companies across the entire battery industries value
chain.
"The CRC will support value chain research such as manufacturing next
generation products that will bolster efficiency, reliability and safety
of energy storage systems."
--ENDS--
Source: Western Australia Government - www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
Contact:
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Mines and Petroleum's Minister's office - 6552 6700
Science Minister's office - 6552 6100
External Links: For a copy of the strategy, visit https://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/fbis
Recent news by: WA Government