Remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley region have installed more than 100 kilowatts of solar panels on community buildings with the support of the McGowan Labor Government.
The west Kimberley community of Djarindjin has installed 80 kilowatts (kW) of solar panels and the community of Lombadina has installed 30kW in a partnership with Horizon Power.
Energy Minister Ben Wyatt is pleased to announce that Horizon Power will also contribute up to 30 per cent towards the cost of solar installations in another six remote communities in the Kimberley region under the Solar Incentives Scheme.
This initiative will result in communities saving tens of thousands of dollars a year off their electricity bills. Not only that, it reduces the costs of supplying diesel-powered electricity in the communities and that means a reduced subsidy for regional electricity supplies and reduced carbon emissions.
Under the scheme, funding is capped for each community and is open to the Aboriginal Corporations which are Horizon Power customers, including Bidyadanga, Beagle Bay, Ardyaloon, Warmun, Looma and Kalumburu. The Solar Incentives Scheme is open for applications until June 2019.
