Horizon Power has awarded a contract to install and supply solar power for the Derby Hospital to West Kimberley-based joint venture partners, Generators and Off-Grid Energy and H&M Tracey Construction.
As a part of its $5.2 million Derby Solar, Battery and Smart Streetlights project, Horizon Power worked with the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS) to develop a renewable energy solution that will significantly reduce the hospital’s electricity costs.
Horizon Power will work with local contractors to design and install a 364kW rooftop solar system which will cut the hospital’s annual energy costs by approximately 40 per cent and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 334 tonnes per year.
Kimberley solar and battery operator, Generators and Off-Grid Energy has partnered with Aboriginal-owned, remote-area construction specialists, H&M Tracey Construction, to design and install a system that will be able to meet 27 per cent of the hospital’s energy requirements and withstand Derby’s extreme weather conditions.
The joint venture partners have a proven track record of delivering large-scale renewable solutions, including the 1.2MW commercial solar installation on the Broome Boulevard Shopping Centre.
Horizon Power General Manager Customer Experience, Krystal Skinner, said she was pleased Horizon Power was able to work with local experts to deliver greater community access to renewable energy, and that the utility remained committed to seeking regional participation whenever possible.
“It’s really important to Horizon Power that we can partner with local contractors like Generators and Off-Grid Energy and H&M Tracey, who understand the challenges of supplying energy to remote towns like Derby,” Ms Skinner said.
“Local knowledge can help us to deliver the best solutions for our customers, and we know awarding important contracts like this one to local contractors is key to creating sustainable regional economies.”
“This is a great outcome for everyone involved in the project, and further demonstrates our commitment to putting the regions first.”
Horizon Power will also deploy a community battery to ensure the hospital can benefit from solar without impacting the ability of other Derby customers to install rooftop solar on homes and businesses.
The solar installation works at the hospital will commence in October this year and are expected to be completed by early 2022.
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