Construcciones Yamaro: Construction begins on Wurrumiyanga Remote Power Project

Construction has commenced on the Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project in the Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory Government is investing $6.1 million into the project, which will deliver an additional 1.2 megawatts of solar photovoltaic power to the community, along with a Battery Energy Storage System with a capacity of 3 megawatt-hours.

With a population of over 2,000 residents, Wurrumiyanga is on its way to being powered by 50 per cent renewable energy thanks to this initiative.

The Northern Territory’s Minister for Renewables and Energy Nicole Manison said the pilot program in Wurrumiyanga marks a significant stride toward the state government’s goal of achieving 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. This objective also aims for an average of 70 per cent renewables in communities supplied by Indigenous Essential Services.

“We will keep doing the hard work as we push towards our target of 50 per cent renewables by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050,” said Manison.

“A renewables future is now one step closer for the Wurrumiyanga community and we look forward to extending the lessons learnt from this project to other remote Territory communities.”

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Local company 5B is delivering the project, with earthworks and the installation of cyclone-resilient solar arrays now complete.

Nicole Kuepper-Russell, chief strategy officer at 5B, said the company is proud to be part of the project, which aims to provide more cost-effective, cleaner energy, bolster energy resilience, and generate employment opportunities.

“Our latest generation high-wind resilient 5B Maverick – wind rated up to 72 metres per second – is specifically designed for cyclone prone regions like the Tiwi Islands,” said Kuepper-Russell.

“It is also fast to deploy in remote regions; a deployment team of four unfolded the 1.2-megawatt 5B solar farm on Bathurst Island in just four days, with mechanical installation, including unpacking, staging, cabling, the extra anchoring required for wind region C and clean up, taking less than two weeks.

“We’re working to replicate this rapid deployment model across other remote communities in the Territory and we welcome the government’s support in accelerating renewable energy projects and investments.”

A key component of this project is the revitalisation of the community’s energy system, addressing aging diesel infrastructure and outdated solar photovoltaic technology.

The project is slated for completion and operation by 2024.

This announcement follows the recent achievement in Titjikala, a remote community south of Alice Springs, where 83 per cent of energy is now sourced from renewables.

The post Construction begins on Wurrumiyanga Remote Power Project appeared first on Inside Construction.

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