Assistant defence minister opens solar farm at RAAF Darwin

The Assistant Minister for Defence has officially opened the RAAF Darwin Solar Farm – part of a $64m Defence program – with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. How it is set to benefit the base.

A new solar farm operated by Assure Energy is installed at RAAF Base Darwin as part of ADF commitment to clean energy in the Northern Territory. Picture: Supplied (RAAF)

The Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite officially opened the RAAF Darwin Solar Farm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 31.

The opening of the renewable energy project is part of the government’s $64m Defence Renewable Energy and Energy Security Program that is set to open solar farms and battery storage systems at ten defence sites across Australia.

Mr Thistlethwaite said the opening of the RAAF Darwin farm would be a massive benefit for the defence force on multiple fronts.

An aerial shot of the solar panels at RAAF Darwin. Picture: Supplied (RAAF)

“Clean solar energy is now flowing into RAAF base Darwin to provide a significant proportion of the base’s energy needs,” he said.

“Reducing carbon emissions, and saving about $130,000 a year for the defence force on electricity costs.

“Those savings can be reinvested in better facilities on the base for our troops, and stronger capability for the Australian Defence Force into the future.”

The program came about following a defence strategic review that found that climate change was a legitimate “national security threat” to Australia, Mr Thistlethwaite said.

“The risk of climate change for important assets such as this RAAF base is significant,” he said.

“Ensuring that we can maintain energy security through renewable energy projects such as this is really important to the capability and the protection of our nation into the future and ensuring that our troops can continue to train to do their job to serve our nation.”

Mr Thistlethwaite said second solar farm is currently being built at Robertson Barracks as part of the program, with more projects likely to come to the Territory in the future.

Solomon MLA Luke Gosling, brigadier Doug Pashley and assistant defence minister Matt Thistlethwaite at an event on Tuesday. Picture: File.

“The Albanese government is looking to build more of these solar projects and renewable energy projects,” he said.

“The defence force is the largest landowner in Australia and a lot of that land is in areas that are perfect for renewable energy projects, such as the top end and Northern Territory.”

Local MP Luke Gosling who was also at the ribbon cutting said the opening of the solar farm would be a benefit to the city of Darwin.

“Today, we’re here to basically cut the ribbon because it’s the commissioning of the RAAF base solar project,” he said.

“This is really important for resilience in this base itself, but also it will be less of a draw on our community and our resources.

“Forty per cent of the base’s power can come from this solar farm here at Darwin RAAF Base.”

The second, 11mw solar farm at Robertson Barracks, is set to come into operation later this year.