WA Premier Mark McGowan has announced that the town of Derby will receive $5.2 million worth of renewable energy projects, which will reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as seek to reduce night time crime and traffic incidents through better lighting.
The projects are being delivered by Horizon Power as part of the McGowan Government’s WA Recovery Plan.
Works at Derby Hospital include installing 550 kilowatts peak (kWp) of rooftop solar together with a 275 kilowatt-hour renewable energy smoothing battery.
Additionally, 310 kWp of rooftop solar will be installed across the Shire of Derby’s community buildings.
Around 827 conventional streetlights will be upgraded to energy efficient smart LED units, spanning 10 kilometres from Derby to the Aboriginal community of Mowanjum.
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Horizon Power’s new streetlight technology will enable the service provider to identify outages in real time and remove the need to carry out routine inspections.
The combined projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 900 tonnes per year, save the Shire of Derby $170,697 annually, and reduce evening crime by 10 per cent.
Derby Hospital will benefit from more than $590,000 in annual energy supply and consumption savings.
These renewable energy solutions will also result in a reduction to total greenhouse gas emissions of around 460 tonnes annually–the equivalent of taking 100 cars off the road.
More than 10 local jobs will be created during procurement and construction.
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WA Premier Mark McGowan said projects like these will tangibly improve the quality of life, local amenity and community service provision for people in the Shire of Derby.
“A key component of our Kimberley Recovery Plan is to invest in renewable energy initiatives that will support the Kimberley region and remote communities, and improve reliability and efficiency to these areas and help lower energy costs,” he said.
Kimberley MLA Josie Farrer said, “Our health and community services are important facilities in Derby so I welcome this investment which is about making energy more affordable, reliable and the savings made can be used to further improve and provide more services.
“It’s vital our Kimberley towns continue to benefit from important upgrades and infrastructure works that benefit the residents and help attract visitors–while creating jobs in the regions.”
