New and improved transmission funding model to support Western Australia’s energy transition
The State Government is introducing a more transparent and simplified funding approach for transmission projects in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) to support the delivery of the energy transition. The new approach will give industry greater confidence to progress projects and enable Western Power to expand the network in a timely manner.
The new funding approach involves the introduction of a Fixed Capital Charge. This Charge will mean new and expanded connections for generators, storage, and large users greater than 10 megawatts (MW) will pay $100,000 per MW towards transmission infrastructure costs.
By replacing the shared assets component of Western Power’s current capital contribution arrangement, the Fixed Capital Charge will help to increase certainty within Western Australia’s investment environment and provide clarity around the financial contributions required for network expansion, while reducing barriers to market entry.
Implementing this new funding model will require legislative and regulatory changes, including changes to the Electricity Network Access Code 2004. As part of this process, Energy Policy WA is conducting a public consultation period to give stakeholders the opportunity for feedback and comment on the changes.
The public consultation period will run until 5:00pm (AWST) on Friday 23 January 2026. Submissions can be made via email to EPWA-info@deed.wa.gov.au.
To support submissions to this consultation process, Energy Policy WA will hold a public webinar providing an overview of the proposed new funding model on 15 December 2025.
For more information about the public webinar or to access the Consultation Paper, click here.
