APA Group says it hopes to expand its power generation portfolio in Western Australia’s Pilbara and commit to new investments within a year as it diversifies away from its core business of operating gas pipelines.

The company has a big opportunity in the remote region – the heartland for the country’s iron ore mining operations. Industry giants from BHP and Rio Tinto to Fortescue – along with lithium developers, oil and gas operators and the fertiliser industry – are moving away from diesel to cut emissions, with demand for power expected to increase five-fold by 2050.