Woodside’s decision to expand its North West Shelf gas project in Karratha, Western Australia. This courageous step will address the growing appetite for regional energy, as well as feed into the decarbonization of several sectors. The extension was recently approved by the state government. This project is the second largest employer in the county. Woodside’s newfound status as a big player in the renewable energy transition. This creation couldn’t come at a better time as the area looks to replace its coal-fired power stations.
The North West Shelf gas project is the economic powerhouse behind the local economy. It uses more than 280 local workers from Karratha and almost 900 direct employees and 1,300 contractors based all over Western Australia. Woodside intends to scale up this initiative to create additional energy needs. They want to ease the transition to cleaner, renewable energy too.
Government Support and Regional Implications
WA Premier Roger Cook has recently come out in strong support of the gas project at the North West Shelf. He sees its place in Western Australia’s energy transition as part of that story. He regards natural gas as a “smoothing fuel” that can aid in reducing reliance on coal, ultimately helping to decarbonize both local and international energy sectors.
“We know that gas is going to play an important role in helping other countries get out of coal,” – WA Premier Roger Cook
In December 2024, the state signed off on extending the project. This announcement reflects a critically important policy decision to prioritize fulfilling our energy needs and simultaneously addressing environmental issues. Further, Cook has been very clear that he will not put on the table any restrictions that would derail these good faith negotiations.
“I’m not going to shackle Western Australia to legislation which damages our efforts to help the globe to decarbonise and reduce emissions,” – WA Premier Roger Cook
This expansion has raised the ire of environmentalists and community advocates alike. Murujuga is considered sacred, Indigenous people are concerned about the impacts on Murujuga. An enormous repository of Indigenous cultural heritage, this region is home to more than one million rock art sites. Environmentalists say pollution from the project would put these priceless carvings at risk in less than one hundred years.
Environmental Concerns and Opposition
Yet this approval process for the North West Shelf gas project extension was under significant duress. Environmental advocates have criticized its potential impacts on climate change and local nature. The Australian Marine Conservation Society has described the project as potentially one of the “most polluting fossil fuel projects green-lit by the Albanese government.”
“Our children won’t be able to understand a decision to extend the North West Shelf for another half century, creating enormous carbon pollution,” – Australian Marine Conservation Society CEO Paul Gamblin
Greenpeace’s WA campaign lead, Geoff Bice, said it was critical that public decisions on gas development projects were assessed in a bigger picture context. He reminded folks that the bill’s primary purpose is to allow processing of gas from the controversial Browse gas field under Scott Reef. These realities raise very serious questions about the environmental justice impact and intent of these massive land grabs.
“The primary purpose of Woodside’s North West Shelf extension is to process gas from the Browse gas field underneath Scott Reef — the minister should be looking at these gas mega projects as a whole,” – Greenpeace’s WA campaign lead Geoff Bice
Broader Energy Transition Strategies
Woodside’s North West Shelf project is growing. This shift is part of broader initiatives to move away from conventional fossil fuels and adopt more renewable energy sources. The pilots will assist in the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations, particularly in Western Australia. It helps advance a transition to a cleaner, renewable energy future.
As global energy demands continue to rise, projects like Woodside’s North West Shelf extension will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between current fossil fuel dependency and future renewable energy initiatives. This important strategic development highlights the precarious line between promoting economic development, fostering job creation, and protecting state and local environments.
