Office Hon. Dale Wakefiled

The Territory Labor Government’s target of 50% renewables by 2030 is delivering local jobs and cheap, clean power.

Following the installation of Titjikala’s new 400kW photovoltaic solar array, the community will now have its energy future transformed through a new 970kWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

Titjikala is the second remote community in the Territory where energy generation costs will be significantly reduced because of the Territory Labor Government’s investment in solar and battery technology.

The BESS will save approximately 156,000 litres of diesel annually. Not only will the diesel engines be turned off during daylight hours, but excess solar energy generated will be stored for overnight use. The engines will start up again overnight when the BESS is depleted.

The BESS will also have significant environmental benefits for the Titjikala community. There will be cleaner air through cleaner power, less traffic on the roads from heavy vehicle diesel delivery trucks, and reduced noise from diesel engines.

The Titjikala BESS project will cost an estimated $950,000. The investment is expected to be repaid from savings within five years and the project is expected to be completed by early 2021.

Titjikala’s solar array installation was part of the Solar Energy Transformation Program (SETuP), which is Australia’s largest rollout of solar power to remote communities.                                                                                                                    

SETuP was a $59 million program co-funded by the Territory Government and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The program was rolled out to 25 sites across the Territory.

Quotes from Minister for Renewables, Energy & Essential Services, Dale Wakefield

“The Territory Labor Government is delivering more renewables because we know it means cheaper, cleaner power and more jobs.

“We are not just investing in our major centres, but we are also investing in our remote communities and ensuring that we are delivering cheaper and cleaner power for ALL Territorians.

“We have made significant progress towards our target of 50% by 2030 with renewables projected to reach 16% by the end of 2020 – up from 2% in 2016.

“These reforms and the significant progress we’ve made would be put at risk by a CLP or Terry Mills Government.

“With the CLP continuing to claim renewables are a hoax, and Terry Mills promising less renewables, only Labor has the record and policies to secure a renewable future for the Territory.”

Media Contact: Paige Nguyen 0428 727 244
paige.nguyen@nt.gov.au