[2] Electricity for the plant is generated by the 80 MW Emu Downs Wind Farm located in the state's Midwest region near Cervantes.

The wind farm contributes 270 GWh/year into the general power grid, more than offsetting the 180 GWh/year requirement from the desalination plant.

The devices are isobaric chamber types which recover energy in the brine stream and deliver it to water going to the membrane feed at a net transfer efficiency at up to 98%.

As a condition of its continued operation, the Perth plant has a comprehensive environmental monitoring program, measuring the seawater intake and brine outfall.

In early 2008, the plant was shut down on two occasions due to reduced dissolved oxygen levels in Cockburn Sound.