The Mid-year Review funding will enable Horizon Power, as part of its ReGen program, to upgrade 13 standalone power systems and undertake the planning and early-stage procurement activities for upgrades in a further eight communities.
Cockatoo Springs (also known as Ngunulum), approximately 30 kilometres from Kununurra, is one of two remote communities in the Kimberley where Horizon Power has already delivered renewable upgrades.
Since the upgrades were completed in July, the Cockatoo Springs community operates on 63 per cent renewable energy.
Diesel dependency will be reduced by up to 92 per cent and diesel consumption by approximately 35,000 litres annually, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 91 tonnes of CO₂ a year.
These upgrades also eliminated the safety risks associated with manual generator refuelling and reduced diesel costs for residents.
The latest funding will see these benefits rolled out more widely, in alignment with the Government's Made in WA plan, which promotes opportunities for local suppliers and builds local capability and capacity in regional WA.
This work is an important step forward in the Government's ongoing commitment to Closing the Gap by 2031.
Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
We recognise and appreciate a continued connection through stories, traditions and living cultures and commit to building a brighter future together. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this presentation may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.