The Territory Labor Governmentstarget of 50% renewables by 2030 will deliver local jobs, and cheaper, cleanerpower.
Construction is now complete onthe Solar Energy Transformation Program (SETuP), which is Australias largestrollout of solar power to remote communities.
SETuP is a $59 million programco-funded by the Territory Government and the Australian Renewable EnergyAgency (ARENA).
The program was rolled out to 25sites across the Territory.
SETuP integrates 10MW of solar PVin remote locations with existing power stations, resulting in remote hybridpower generation. This reduces reliance on costly diesel for electricitygeneration, and delivers reliable and safe power to remote locations.
The primary goal of the programis to reduce diesel use by 15% in targeted communities, which adds up to 94million litres of diesel savings over the life of the program (25 years).
The SETuP program was deliveredby Power and Water Corporation and the existing funding agreement with ARENA will go through to April 2022 for performance reporting.
As noted by Minister for Renewables, Energy & EssentialServices, Dale Wakefield
The SETuP program is animportant step forward in achieving the Territory Labor Governments target of50% renewable energy by 2030. SETuP will help to support cleaner power forTerritorians in remote communities by reducing reliance on costly diesel, andalso air pollution.
ARENA is our partner in thissignificant program that will deliver for remote Territorians in decades tocome. I thank them for their continued partnership and investment in theTerritory.
The SETuP program was deliveredby Power and Water. The program has won engineering excellence awards and dueto the hard work and innovation by staff, the Territory is now seen as a leaderin remote hybrid power generation. I congratulate and thank all involved.
As noted by CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA),Darren Miller
This is a fantastic achievement for all involved in completingthis ambitious project to deliver the largest rollout of renewable energy toremote, off grid communities in the Northern Territory.
By installing solar power systems across these 25 communities,this project will help these communities to reduce their reliance on diesel.Now integrated, these communities can increase their uptake of renewables andhave the option to add batteries to store their solar energy in the future.
SETuP is part of ARENAs Regional Australias Renewables -Community and Regional Renewable Energy (CARRE) Program, where the Agencyworked collaboratively with key regional energy suppliers and distributors toassess, plan, fund and share the results from projects like SETuP, with an aimto replicate the program's successes across further communities.
NOTE: See attached list and map of the 25 remotecommunities that are part of the SETuP program. Also attached are images ofsolar PV panels constructed in Atitjere (Harts Range) and Gunbalanya(Oenpelli).
