Two New Large-Scale Solar Energy Projects For The Northern Territory

Image: Northern Territory Government

The NT Government announced yesterday that the Territory will be powered by 10% solar energy by the end of 2019.

The jump from the current 3% to 10% renewables will be through the previously announced 25MW Katherine Solar Farm and a couple of new projects – a 10MW solar farm at Batchelor and another the same capacity at Mantom Dam. Both facilities will be developed by Tetris Energy (part of the Tetris Capital Group) and are expected to be completed in the second half of this year.

The 10MW Batchelor project doesn’t appear to be new though – it was first mentioned back in November 2017, although with another developer at the helm.

Jacana Energy and NT Solar Investments have entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the electricity generated and renewable energy certificates created by the two new power stations.

$150 Million Invested In Renewables

Other solar energy initiatives that have seen Gunner government funding include a $59 million joint investment with ARENA for NT’s Solar SETuP program, which rolled out 10MW of solar power systems across 25 remote communities.

There’s also $5 million being pumped into the Territory’s Rooftop Solar in Schools program that was announced last month, plus $8.3 million invested in the 5MW Alice Springs Battery Energy Storage System; launched in November.

Additionally, $4.5 million went into the Smart Energy Grants Scheme. That initiative, which helped put solar panels on the rooftops of homes, was due to close at the end of this month or when funding ran out – and the latter occurred as applications can no longer be submitted.

“The Territory Labor Government knows the NT can be the solar capital of Australia,” said Minister for Renewables and Essential Services, Dale Wakefield.  “With the Katherine Solar Farm and these projects announced today, that’s over $150M in renewables investment by the Territory Labor Government.”

It’s good to see the NT Government continuing to move towards its ambitious goal of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030 after things went quiet for a bit with its Roadmap To Renewables initiative. The Roadmap recommended solar power be the centerpiece technology for achieving the renewables goal. The amount of land needed will be around 700 hectares – just 0.05% of the Territory’s area.

“We are delivering our election promise of 50 per cent renewables by 2030 and that will create local jobs, and cheaper, cleaner, more reliable power, which benefits all Territorians,” said Chief Minister, Michael Gunner.

… just don’t mention the fracking.