The Northern Territory is set to be powered by 10 per cent renewable energy before the end of 2019, thanks to a new $43 million solar project announced by the NT Government today.
Australian renewables developer, Tetris Energy, will soon advance to construction on two 10 megawatt (MW) solar farms at Batchelor and Manton Dam, which are estimated to generate enough energy to power 5000 homes once they are completed in the second half of the year.
The project, in combination with Epuron and Island Green Power’s previously announced 25MW Katherine Solar Farm, is set to increase the share of renewable energy use in NT’s major centres from the current 3 per cent to 10 per cent.
Up to 70 local jobs are expected to be supported during the construction phase of the two new solar farms, in addition to several ongoing service and maintenance roles.
Minister for Renewables and Essential Services, Dale Wakefield, said Tetris Energy’s investment is a huge step towards reaching the Government’s renewable energy target of 50 per cent renewables by 2030.
“The Territory Labor Government knows the NT can be the solar capital of Australia. That’s why we have invested in a $59 million joint investment with ARENA for the Solar SETuP program providing 10MW of solar across 25 remote communities, $5 million into our Rooftop Solar in Schools program, $8.3 million in the 5MW Alice Springs Battery Energy Storage System and $4.5 million in our smart energy grants scheme,” Minister Wakefield said.
“With the Katherine Solar Farm and these projects announced today, that’s over $150M in renewables investment by the Territory Labor Government,” he added.
Jacana Energy and NT Solar Investments have entered into a Power Purchase Agreement for the electricity and renewable energy certificates generated by the Batchelor and Manton Dam solar farms.
Tetris Energy Director, Frank Boland, said the agreement will be an important enabler in moving towards construction at the end of the wet season.
“By using the latest in single axis tracking Solar PV technology, it will allow the plants to generate more power in the mornings and evenings,” he said.