Yarrabah microgrid project to progress to design stage with state budget energy allocation

An isolated Far Northern community that relies on a single, vulnerable powerline for electricity is set to advance its independence with further funding for its proposed microgrid.

AN ISOLATED Far Northern community that relies on a single 90km, weather-prone powerline for electricity is set to advance its independence with further funding for its proposed microgrid.

The Queensland state budget delivered on Tuesday allocated $10m over two years to boost resilience of regional and remote communities through initiatives that enable decarbonisation and energy independence.

In the Far North, Yarrabah and electrical firm Ener-G have been working towards establishing a self-reliant microgrid in the Aboriginal community and in 2020, received $2m in federal funds for a feasibility study.

Now, with the additional funds, the project could progress from a study to establishing its implementation structure and governance, establishing a system for local ownership and completing its scoping and design plan for construction.

Yarrabah which relies on a single 90km, weather-prone powerline for electricity is set to advance its independence with further funding for its proposed microgrid. Picture: Brendan Radke.

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Assisting the project, Planz Town Planning managing director Nikki Huddy said the microgrid would feature residential and commercial rooftop solar panels, a community battery energy storage facility, a small solar farm, and be supported by an extensive residential energy efficiency and smart appliance program which would enable the community to become more resilient and produce cost savings for the residents.

Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews said his community could save up to $1.7m each year and better weather disasters through the implementation of the microgrid.

Yarrabah mayor Ross Andrews said his community could save up to $1.7 million each year and better weather disasters through the implementation of the microgrid. Picture: Brendan Radke

“As a fringe off-grid community, Yarrabah experiences longer and more frequent power outages than urban centres, and the lack of alternative local services means interruptions to the electricity supply have an even bigger impact on a community that is already experiencing socio-economic disadvantage,” he said.

In Tuesday’s state budget the Palaszczuk government also announced $1.41bn to improve electricity supply through Energy Queensland, which services some 2.3 million Queenslanders across the Energex and Ergon Energy and Yurika networks.

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Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said system reliability would be reinforced thanks to a $239.7m investment in Powerlink.

“This will see upgrades or replacement of ageing high-voltage assets, as well as continue transmission works to connect the 250-megawatt Kidston Pumped Hydro Project to the National Electricity Grid,” he said.

“That’s backed by the government’s $40m investment to upgrade transmission lines between Townsville and Cairns as part of the Northern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone initiative.”

Originally published as Yarrabah microgrid project to progress to design stage with state budget energy allocation