Horizon Power’s recent installation of pre-payment meters in five Kimberley Aboriginal communities is set to improve affordability, efficiency and safety for the remote residents.
The upgrades have been undertaken in Emu Creek, Munthanmar, Bell Springs and Mud Springs in the east Kimberley, and the community of Loanbun in the west Kimberley.
Installment of the pre-payment meters mean that the communities will move away from the ‘chuck-in’ system of payment for power, which often results in large levels of debt being accrued by communities. For the first time, residents will now also have access to energy rebates.
The project also includes important safety upgrades for the communities. Horizon Power undertook network condition reports on all five communities, ensuring the safety of the existing electrical infrastructure. The pre-payment meters are also designed to detect potential faults in the house they are connected to, and the network.
“I am very pleased to see Horizon Power working with communities to provide solutions to improve affordability of electricity for residents, and also reduce debt owed by remote communities,” said Western Australian Minister for Energy and Aboriginal Affairs, Ben Wyatt.
“I am also reassured that each network has had a full safety assessment during this process, and these upgrades will ensure greater safety for the community moving forward.”
