The Centre for Research into Energy for Sustainable Transport (CREST) has received a $2.3 million state government grant to provide WA-specific research, education, testing and commercialisation services over the next five years.

CREST director David Harries said the centre would encourage more alternative fuel production companies to set up shop in WA.

“Increasing the production of alternative fuels in the state – especially fuels produced from local feedstock such as biodiesel and ethanol – will reduce the state’s future need to rely on imported oil,” he said.

The centre is expected to have an operating budget of more than $15 million over five years, bringing together the state’s leading researchers in transport fuels and technologies.

CREST’s partners will include the Planning and Transport Research Centre, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, CSIRO and key energy industry members.

CREST is set to begin operating later this year, based at the university’s Research Institute for Sustainable Energies.

Curtin University will partner with Murdoch to provide major support and expertise for the project.