A 758kW solar system and 336kWh BESS (battery energy storage system) are now operational in Norseman, marking the successful completion of Horizon Power’s Mid West Solar Program.
Norseman, in Western Australia’s Esperance region, is the sixth and final town in regional Western Australia to receive a centralised solar farm as part of the program.
As part of the program, Horizon Power has already commissioned solar farms in the mid-west towns of Cue, Sandstone, Yalgoo, Meekatharra and Wiluna, which are all now in operation. The state’s regional energy provider has also delivered BESS units in all of these towns, except Wiluna, which received a unit in 2021.
The project is expected to reduce 2100t of carbon emissions annually and save an estimated $900,000 per annum in operation costs, dampening the impact of fluctuations of fuel prices.
Excess electricity generated by the solar panels during the day will be stored in batteries for use overnight or on cloudy days, enabling diesel savings even when the sun isn’t shining.
By generating and storing their own renewable electricity, the towns will be able to significantly reduce their reliance on diesel generation, cutting down on fuel costs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and minimising the environmental impacts associated with diesel usage.
Horizon Power CEO, Stephanie Unwin, said the Mid West Solar Program is just one of many projects Horizon Power is proudly delivering to support its regions with green energy solutions.
“The solar and battery systems provide a cleaner, greener alternative for remote towns that are currently relying solely on diesel generation for their energy needs,” she said.
“As well as helping to reduce carbon emissions, the solar and battery systems will deliver a lower cost solution for these communities.”
Horizon Power’s $15.1 million Mid West Solar Program was supported with $13.5 million in Commonwealth funding as part of the WA Microgrids program. It has been delivered in partnership with sustainable distributed energy provider, Pacific Energy.
Featured image: Horizon Power
