The tiny Goldfields town of Menzies will soon have one of the cleanest power supplies in Western Australia, with a new energy system to deliver up to 80% renewable energy.
Under the plan, Menzies will be largely run on 409kW of solar generation and 2.8MWh of battery energy storage, supplying renewable energy to more than 100 residents in the community. In addition, the community of Laverton will also benefit from a new power supply.
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Made possible thanks to a power purchase agreement with regional electricity network operator Horizon Power, Pacific Energy will design, build, and operate the system.
Pacific Energy will upgrade the town’s ageing system with 3.6MW of new diesel generation capacity, improving reliability and resilience.
Construction of both projects is expected to begin later this year, with completion targeted for mid-2027.
Horizon Power CEO Krystal Skinner said, “Horizon Power is committed to delivering secure, reliable and affordable electricity for regional communities, and these projects in Laverton and Menzies are important steps in strengthening long term energy resilience.
“The new hybrid renewable system in Menzies will deliver high levels of renewable energy penetration, while in Laverton, modernised generation will safeguard reliability. By replacing ageing infrastructure with modern, fit for purpose solutions, we’re ensuring both towns can meet future residential and industrial growth, while supporting greater uptake of customer-led energy solutions, such as solar and batteries.
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“We are pleased to be partnering with Pacific Energy to deliver these upgrades, supporting cleaner, stronger and more sustainable energy systems for our customers.”
