Up to 50 more remote Western Australian properties will soon be powered by renewable energy as Horizon Power begins installations for its latest round of regional standalone power systems (SPS).
In late May, Horizon Power’s SPS provider, Boundary Power, commenced the deployment of the first 12 systems to properties east of Esperance, and expects them to be fully commissioned by the end of June.
The sites were selected by the regional power provider to improve end‑of-grid access to a safer, cleaner and more reliable power supply.
The solar-powered SPS will operate independently from the main grid, allowing the utility to remove poles and wires and, in turn, reduce outages caused by maintenance and weather events like floods and bushfire.
The $10 million SPS deployment is part of the WA Government’s $57.4 million investment in Horizon Power’s Renew the Regions program, which is aimed at creating jobs and giving the regions more access to green energy and improved services.
Horizon Power’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mike Houlahan, said that the utility will commission its new systems across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne Mid West and Goldfields Esperance regions by mid-2022, and says it will continue to engage regional suppliers to do it.
“Horizon Power is committed to putting the regions first,” Mr Houlahan said.
“This project is especially rewarding because it is delivering locally manufactured, fit-for-purpose, renewable energy solutions to some of our most isolated customers, and it’s boosting local jobs and supporting regional businesses along the way.
“Our project team relies on the expertise of local contractors for surveying, civil works, electrical services and more. And, in addition to this, we’ve already created nine new roles associated with project delivery, including two apprenticeship positions, and we expect more to come.”
Learn more about this important project and how Horizon Power is creating opportunities for regional suppliers at https://renewtheregions.com.au.