Energy Minister Chris Bowen to visit Alice Springs with $35m NT renewable energy package
The federal Energy Minister is set to meet industry leaders in Alice Springs on Friday, revealing funding for Territory renewable power projects.
Northern Territory
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The federal government is chipping in $15m towards building microgrids in remote NT communities.
Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen is in Alice Springs on Friday to spruik the announcement, which includes an extra $4.7m to deploy solar banks across the Territory.
Joined by his NT counterpart Selena Uibo, he will also update industry leaders on a carried commonwealth promise to put $15m towards the 35MW Darwin-Katherine battery at Channel Island.
The battery, which has recently reached the first stages of pre-commissioning, has capacity to help power 150,000 homes.
Mr Bowen said the investments would lower energy bills for Territory families and improve energy reliability.
“The Channel Island battery will help households and businesses save on electricity bills by unlocking additional capacity for renewables, delivering cheaper and cleaner energy to homes and businesses,” he said.
“This investment is about ensuring Territorians, whether or not they’re on the grid get a fair deal on energy and businesses get the affordable energy they need.”
Network connected commissioning of the battery is scheduled to start late this year before complete operation is expected mid-2024.
Mr Bowen said the microgrids would reduce remote communities’ reliance on diesel generators.
“Solar banks will (also) allow Territorians who don’t have access to solar ownership, such as renters and apartment dwellers, have equity in the country’s clean energy transition,” Mr Bowen said.
The Territory government has targets of 50 per cent renewable power by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
Ms Uibo said the federal investments would help achieve those goals.
“We welcome this investment in the Territory’s clean energy infrastructure from the federal government and look forward to close co-operation going forward,” she said.
“As part of the 2023 Budget, we announced significant funding for a range of projects … and a dedicated task force to provide assurance to Territorians that electricity prices and sustainable measures remain a priority.”
Solomon MP Luke Gosling said the announcements were further federal measures to provide power bill price relief to those “doing it tough”.
“The big battery in Darwin will increase access to clean and cheaper energy to thousands of Territorians,” Mr Gosling said.
“Darwin is again playing a leading role in the Territory’s contribution to decarbonising the national economy and transforming Australia into a renewable energy superpower.”
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