The project
The Chichester Range Transmission Corridor (CRTC) is a proposed high‑voltage, common‑user transmission infrastructure project led by Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation. The project is intended to connect renewable energy developments on Yindjibarndi Ngurra to the North West Interconnected System (NWIS) via the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area (SIA) in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The CRTC will provide critical enabling infrastructure to support large‑scale renewable energy generation, industrial decarbonisation and future clean energy industries in the Pilbara. The corridor is proposed to extend from the Baru Marnda project area to the Maitland SIA, located approximately 24 kilometres west of Karratha and 39 kilometres south of Dampier Port.
In recognition of its strategic significance, the CRTC was awarded Project Priority status under the Western Australian Government’s Pilbara Energy Transmission (PET) Plan in December 2024, as one of four key transmission corridors identified by the State. The project is also listed on the Australian Government’s National Renewable Energy Priority List, reflecting its importance to Australia’s clean energy transition, regional development and long‑term energy security.
The activation of SIAs is critically important to the Western Australian Government for several strategic, economic, and environmental reasons, including
- Driving Economic Diversification
- Enabling Clean Energy Transition
- Attracting Investment and Jobs
- Supporting Regional Development
- Enhancing Global Competitiveness
The CRTC is being developed as common‑user infrastructure, supporting coordinated development, reducing duplication and enabling efficient connection of renewable energy projects to shared transmission networks.