Circular Solutions have been awarded the contract to design and construct the Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project.
The Northern Territory (NT) Government is investing $8.6 million for over four years in its Renewable Remote Power Program. The investment includes $6.1 million for the pilot project.
Circular Solutions will replace portions of the current diesel-generated power source with renewable technology by April 2024.
“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,” Minister for Renewables and Energy Selena Uibo said.
According to the NT Government, Wurrimuyanga already has some solar technology in place, and the investment will significantly improve the amount of electricity provided by solar by installing additional solar PV panels and a new battery energy storage system.
The Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project will add 1.1 megawatts of additional solar PV and a battery energy storage system of approximately 3 megawatt hours. The percentage of renewable energy given to the community is predicted to rise to about 50%.
In addition, the State Government will invest $2 million over the next two years to enhance the delivery of clean and reliable electricity to isolated communities throughout the Territory. Thus far, this investment has resulted in a framework for delivering renewable energy systems to the 73 rural communities served by Indigenous Essential Services (IES) and chances for breakthrough technologies like hydrogen.
The extensive analysis of each IES community to map the ideal renewables development pathway is underway, considering, among other things, the design and configuration of current energy assets, electricity demand profiles, and expected growth.
According to the State Government, the project is a crucial step towards achieving 50% renewables by 2030, including a 70% objective in all IES-supplied localities. Renewable investments in remote power system services can result in fuel cost savings, significant reductions in emissions as diesel is substituted, and the creation of local jobs.
“Energy and renewables play a key role in unlocking private investment and creating local jobs – and the Territory Labor Government is taking every opportunity,” Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said.
Chief Minister Fyles committed to working towards achieving the State’s goals of 50% renewables by 2030 and net 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,” Chief Minister Fyles added.
