Seventeen off-grid remote Indigenous communities are set to benefit from solar energy and reduce their reliance on diesel fuel thanks to support from the Coalition Government.
The communities, located in Central Australia, Katherine, Top End and Tiwi Islands regions of the Northern Territory, will be provided with a total 5.6 MW of solar energy.
The Coalition Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), has provided $31.5 million in funding towards the $59 million project known as the Solar Energy Transformation Program (SETuP).
Eleven other off-grid remote Indigenous communities have already benefitted from 4.325 MW of solar energy under the program, including Daly River where the 1 MW solar energy site is also equipped with a battery.
“This project provides opportunities for off-grid remote Indigenous communities to decrease their reliance on diesel fuel which is subject to price fluctuations and seasonal transport issues,” Minister Frydenberg said.
“It spans the breadth of the Northern Territory, from the Tiwi Islands in the north to Aputula in the south, and demonstrates our commitment to deliver cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy for all Australians.”
Minster Scullion said the project is an important step towards transforming the way energy is supplied to remote communities in Australia.
“This project will help secure energy supply for 17 remote communities and I am pleased to be part of a Coalition Government that is delivering better basic services for remote Territorians,” Minister Scullion said.
The project is jointly funded by ARENA and the Northern Territory Government and managed by the Northern Territory Power and Water Corporation.

Source: http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/frydenberg/media-releases/mr20180531a.html