The Western Australian and federal governments will deliver a new hybrid renewable energy project that will provide cleaner energy to the remote community of Blackstone (Papulankutja).
The Blackstone Hybrid Energy Project will deliver power of up to 80% renewables for the community of 176 people, 1,575km north-east of Perth. The new power plant will eliminate the use of high-cost, temporary diesel generation.
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It is a pilot project under Horizon Power’s Remote Communities program, which covers the power services of 117 remote communities and is vital in ensuring all Western Australians, regardless of location, have access to safe, reliable essential services.
Construction of a 778kW solar array, a 2MWh community battery and 400kW of diesel generation is due to start in September and be completed by the end of 2026.
It is supported by a $9.12 million commitment from the WA Government and $3.68 million in funding from ARENA as part of its Regional Microgrids Program.
The Blackstone project will test a scalable hybrid energy plant to assist the future design for other, similar-sized remote communities.
WA Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said, “The Blackstone Hybrid Energy Project offers an innovative and cost-effective renewable energy model for remote communities in Western Australia.
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“Over the past two years, through Horizon Power’s Remote Communities program, considerable progress has been made towards ensuring residents have access to the same standard of power services as other similar-sized communities across the State.
“We will continue to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities to deliver tailored, appropriate energy solutions that empower and uplift First Nations people.”
