The Northern Territory Government has awarded the design and construct contract for its Renewable Remote Power Program’s Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot project.
Circular Solutions was awarded the contract which includes replacing some of the current diesel generated power supply with renewable technology, with works expected to be completed by April 2024.
The Northern Territory Government is investing $8.6 million over four years towards its Renewable Remote Power Program – including $6.1 million towards the Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project.
Wurrimuyanga is already operating some solar technology and this investment will significantly increase the energy generated from solar, with the installation of additional solar PV panels and a new battery energy storage system.
The project will add 1.1MW of additional solar PV and a Battery Energy Storage System of about 3MW/hours. It is expected that the percentage of renewable energy delivered to the community will increase to almost 50 per cent.
The Northern Territory Government is also investing $2 million over the next two years to advance the delivery of clean and reliable electricity to remote communities across the Territory.
This investment has so far resulted in a framework to deliver renewable energy systems to the 73 remote communities supplied by Indigenous Essential Services (IES), including opportunities for innovative technologies such as hydrogen.
Northern Territory Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles, said, “Energy and renewables play a key role in unlocking private investment and creating local jobs – and the Territory Labor Government is taking every opportunity.
“We will keep doing the hard work as we push towards our target of 50 per cent renewables by 2030 and zero emissions by 2050.
“A renewables future is now one step closer for the Wurrumiyanga community and we look forward to the lessons learnt from this project being extended to other remote Territory communities.”
Work is progressing on the detailed analysis of each IES community to map the optimal renewables development pathway, considering, among other things, the design and configuration of existing energy assets, electricity demand profiles and forecast growth.
This pilot is an important step towards the Northern Territory Government achieving its target of 50 per cent renewables by 2030, which includes a 70 per cent target in all communities supplied by IES.
Renewable investments in remote power system services can lead to diesel cost savings and deliver substantial reductions in emissions as diesel is replaced, as well as generating local jobs.
Northern Territory Minister for Renewables and Energy, Selena Uibo, said, “Wurrumiyanga is an incredible place, both for its people and beautiful country. This renewable energy project will help to protect and preserve it and ensure future generations can continue to thrive with help from solar energy.
“I am proud that the Territory Labor Government is delivering this important project and changing the way power is generated in our communities for a cleaner, greener Territory.”
