The Cook and Albanese Labor Governments have delivered more than $185,000 in energysaving credits to households in the Kimberley, supporting cleaner, more reliable and lower-cost energy for remote First Nations communities.
Horizon Power's Kimberley Communities Solar Saver (KCSS) program supports households unable to afford individual rooftop solar. Instead, solar panels are installed across selected homes, with the credits shared among the community.
KCSS now provides energysaving credits to approximately 435 homes across five communities, saving around $450 per household each year.
The program commenced in Warmun in June 2024 with the installation of 0.42 megawatts of rooftop solar, reducing reliance on high-cost diesel generation and lowering electricity costs for approximately 80 homes with pre-paid meters.
KCSS has since expanded to Bidyadanga, Ardyaloon, Yungngora and Beagle Bay, with a total of 1.38 megawatts of rooftop solar installed across approximately 125 systems in the five communities.
The program is due to expand to Mowanjum later this year, its sixth Kimberley community.
The Kimberley Communities Solar Saver project is delivered through the $10.56 million Albanese and Cook Labor Governments' Community Solar Banks partnership.
As stated by Commonwealth Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson:
"By harnessing the world's best sunshine resources to reduce the reliance on increasingly expensive diesel, the Albanese Government's Community Solar Banks shared-solar program is cutting power bills and increasing the energy security of remote Kimberley communities.
"As the energy transition accelerates and renewables start to outpace fossil fuel generation, we are making sure that the shift is equitable and accessible to all Australians no matter their postcode."
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The Cook Labor Government is committed to delivering the energy transition in some of the most remote corners of the country.
"Through the Kimberley Communities Solar Saver, households that have traditionally been unable to access rooftop solar are seeing real benefits, with cleaner, more affordable and more reliable power."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"I'm proud to be part of a government which is supporting remote communities in the Kimberley with cleaner, more affordable energy.
"With the program set to expand to a sixth community later this year, even more Kimberley locals will soon benefit from this important initiative."
