Horizon slashes diesel use with solar and battery microgrids for remote towns

Western Australia’s state-owned power company Horizon Power has completed a third new centralised solar and battery project, located in Sandstone, designed to increase renewable energy in regional towns.

Horizon Power secured funding from the federal government back in 2021 to begin transitioning six towns towards more renewable energy sources, as part of Western Australia’s larger microgrids program.

The so-called Midwest Centralised Solar Project is deploying large-scale solar arrays and battery storage systems in six towns – five in Western Australia’s Mid West region (Cue, Meekatharra, Sandstone, Wiluna, and Yalgoo) as well as Norseman in the Goldfields.

Having already completed projects in Wiluna and Yalgoo, Horizon Power says it has now completed the construction of  163KM solar installation and a 759kWh battery energy storage system in Sandstone, 661km north of Perth.

The program is designed to help these towns reduce their reliance on diesel generators, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cut $900,000 from annual fuel costs.

“Towns in remote parts of Western Australia are heavily reliant on diesel for energy generation, which have high operational costs and associated emissions,” said Stephanie Unwin, CEO of Horizon Power.

“Horizon Power is committed to delivering green energy solutions that reduce operating costs and stimulate local economic activity, which in turn drives growth in regional WA and creates opportunities for the local community.”

Similarly sized solar and battery systems are expected to be deployed in Cue and Meekatharra later this year, and in Norseman in early 2024.