The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $3.6 million in funding through its Regional Microgrids Program to Horizon Power to help transition a remote First Nations community in Blackstone (Papulankutja), Western Australia, from high-cost diesel generation to a state-of-the-art renewable energy microgrid.
Funded under the First Nations Community Microgrids Stream, the project will reduce reliance on diesel, lower carbon emissions with a hybrid renewable energy solution, reinvest cost savings into other community infrastructure and focus on long-term capacity building.
Situated near the South Australian and Northern Territory borders, Blackstone has been selected as a pilot community to test the scalable, modular hybrid energy solution and, if successful, can be used as a blueprint to assist the future design for other, similar sized remote Aboriginal communities.
The Blackstone Hybrid Energy Project will consist of up to 778 kW of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, a 2 MWh battery energy storage system and 400 kW of diesel generation, not only providing cleaner and more reliable energy, but also supporting the community's long-term resilience and sustainability.
Horizon Power, a WA State Government-owned utility, will also establish a Community Energy Fund which will share savings from the project to support community-nominated energy initiatives and return financial benefits directly to the community. Horizon Power will also roll out a training program to develop local skills for ongoing operations and maintenance of the microgrid, creating employment opportunities within the Papulankutja community.
The Blackstone Hybrid Energy Project has received a further $9.12 million contribution from the WA State Government.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said Horizon Power's project is a significant step towards providing cleaner and more reliable energy to remote First Nations communities.
"The Blackstone Hybrid Energy Project demonstrates that renewable energy development and community empowerment can go hand in hand, delivering not only clean, reliable power, but also long-term social and economic benefits for remote communities."
"The success of this project could serve as a blueprint for delivering accessible, affordable and clean energy to other remote First Nations communities."
Acting Horizon Power CEO Krystal Skinner said: "today marks a significant milestone for Horizon Power's Remote Communities program and reflects our strong commitment to energy equity for Aboriginal people living in remote communities across Western Australia."
"We are proud to support the clean energy transition in partnership with First Nations people - grounded in respect, shared decision-making, and empowerment."
"I am proud this initiative will not only deliver safer, more reliable power but also will be reinvesting back into the community - building long-term capability and creating broader economic opportunities into the future."
Ngaanyatjarra Council Group CEO Thomas Williams said: "NCG is proud to support this transformative project, which aligns perfectly with our broader sustainability goals of reducing emissions and empowering our communities with reliable, clean energy."
"By transitioning Papulankutja from diesel to a renewable microgrid, we will cut carbon emissions and energy costs and reinvest in the community through local training and jobs, creating a sustainable model that will benefit our people for future generations."
By deploying cutting-edge technology backed by meaningful community engagement and participation, the project demonstrates how clean, reliable energy systems can be delivered in remote areas. It also highlights the importance of community engagement, capacity building, and local leadership in achieving lasting outcomes.
About the Regional Microgrid Program
ARENA's Regional Microgrid Program was established in response to changes to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which introduced new standards for the delivery of essential services.
The Program includes $125 million in funding to develop and deploy microgrid technologies in regional and remote communities, with $75 million specifically allocated to support microgrid projects in First Nations communities.
The Regional Microgrids Program is open for applications until December 2025 or until funds are exhausted.
