Homes and businesses in remote and regional Australia could be connected to reliable stand-alone power systems, known as microgrids, under a $50 million federal government plan.
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A fund will be set up to support 50 communities across the country that are either off the main power grid or on the fringe, such as far north Queensland and South Australia's Yorke Peninsula.
The money will go towards investigating whether new microgrids are cost-effective or current off-grid equipment can be upgraded with modern technology.
As the cost of providing off-grid electricity continues to fall, in some cases it will be cheaper to provide off-grid supply rather than maintain and replace the long power lines that connect remote customers to the grid.
Moving some remote customers to off-grid supply could save hundreds of million of dollars in network costs and reduce bushfire risks.
If projects are found to be viable, communities could either upgrade existing diesel generation or use other technologies such as renewables.
"We're empowering regional and remote communities to take charge of their energy future," Energy Minister Angus Taylor said.
He said there was potential to save up to $1 billion in network costs.
POTENTIAL AND CURRENT MICROGRID SITES:
Queensland
- Daintree
- Wujal Wujal community
- About 15 island communities in the Torres Strait
- Island resorts
New South Wales
- Far north west of NSW
- Lockhart
- Lord Howe Island
Victoria
- La Trobe Valley
- Wangaratta
- Yackandandah
South Australia and Northern Territory
- Cooper Basin
- Coober Pedy
- Uluru
- Delamere Air Weapons Range
- Remote communities throughout northern and far eastern SA
- Remote communities throughout the NT and Arnhem Land
Western Australia
- Esperance and Condingup regions
- Onslow (Pilbara)
- Garden Island and Rottnest Island
- Kalbarri
- Fitzroy Valley
- Marble Bar
- Remote mining towns and mine sites.
Australian Associated Press
