Western Australia has released its Recovery Plan in conjunction with a $66.3 million investment in renewable energy technologies to boost the state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Horizon Power’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Unwin, said the State Government’s announcement would deliver a significant program of energy infrastructure projects, with
$44.5 million being allocated to projects which are to be delivered by Horizon Power.
“Additional battery storage capacity will be added to nine of our regional towns’ networks to enable more people to install, connect and benefit from rooftop solar,” Ms Unwin said.
“Customers installing a 3kW solar system can expect to save approximately $1,275 per year on their power bills.”
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will be installed in the towns of Yungngora, Broome, Marble Bar, Gascoyne Junction, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Yalgoo, Wiluna and Menzies.
The BESS will reduce generation costs for the State Government, delivering a savings of over $300,000 per annum.
“Horizon Power has also received almost $10 million to deploy a further 50 standalone power systems (SAPS) across the Kimberley, Gascoyne-Midwest and Goldfields Esperance regions over the next two years,” Ms Unwin said.
The additional deployment of SAPS will deliver improved power reliability, quality and safety to some of Horizon Power’s more remote, end-of-grid customers.
SAPS is a tailored off-grid solution delivering safer, more reliable and secure power, making it possible for customers to live and work in any isolated or remote town.
“Horizon Power has proven SAPS to be an alternative, viable form of energy generation and is leading Australia in the deployment of SAPS, delivering improved reliability and further reducing CO2 emissions,” Ms Unwin said.
“Projects which benefited from funding will create immediate and longer-term jobs in the regions, while also creating opportunities for regional suppliers and contractors.”
The State Government’s WA Recovery Plan has been developed to help drive the state’s economic and social recovery following the devastating impacts of COVID-19.
The projects have been designed to stimulate economic activity across regional Western Australia, while also helping to reduce the Western Australian Government’s and consumers’ long-term energy costs, providing better energy efficiency and improving the state’s energy footprint.
