The Northern Territory Government is investing in battery storage to ensure more Territorians can benefit from renewables.
The Territory Government’s Power and Water Corporation has secured conditional support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for 16 community batteries, which will be located in various locations on the Darwin-Katherine electricity grid.
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Once online, the batteries are expected to have a significant impact on local network constraints and will expand rooftop solar capacity, reduce emissions and keep power prices as affordable as possible.
The $6.1 million Wurrumiyanga Solar Farm project is also a step closer to having battery storage. Testing of the battery which was undertaken at Berrimah is now complete.
This project will provide an additional 1.1MW solar array, together with a 1.75MVA battery energy storage system. The battery has been prepared for transport to Wurrumiyanga, where work will begin to connect the battery to the solar farm in the coming months.
Work on the Remote Power System Strategy, which will deliver an average of 70% renewable energy to 72 remote communities provided with electricity through the Indigenous Essential Services program is continuing.
The Northern Territory Government invested $3.1 million for preparatory works for the rollout of more solar and batteries in remote communities, including detailed technical analysis. The RPSS will reduce the reliance of diesel generators in regional and remote communities.
Minister for Renewables and Energy Kate Worden said, “Investing in battery technology ensures Territorians will have reliable power supply as we move to integrate more renewable energy into our electricity grid.
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“We can make these investments because the Territory Government owns our assets like Power and Water, Territory Generation and Jacana.
“Because we own our assets, we can keep the cost of power low. We also subside the power bill of every Territory household by $1,500 a year through the Community Service Obligation.”
