The Northern Territory is set to build a $43 million solar project that will enable the State to be powered by 10 per cent renewable energy before the end of 2019.
Australian renewables developer, Tetris Energy, will soon advance to construction on two 10MW solar farms at Batchelor and Manton Dam, which will generate enough energy to power 5000 homes when completed in the second half of 2019.
Jacana Energy and NT Solar Investments have entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the electricity and renewable energy certificates generated by the two farms.
The project, in combination with the previously announced 25MW Katherine Solar Farm, will catapult the share of renewable energy use in the NT’s major centres from the current 3 per cent to 10 per cent.
The NT Minister for Renewables and Essential Services, Dale Wakefield, said, “This private sector investment by Tetris Energy will take us to 10 per cent renewable energy by the end of the year, which is a huge step towards our renewable energy target of 50 per cent renewables by 2030.
“The Territory Labor Government knows the NT can be the solar capital of Australia. That’s why we have secured $43 million in private investment which will create up to 70 local jobs and will mean by the end of the year we will have 10 per cent renewables, well on our the way to 50 per cent target by 2030.”
Frank Boland, Director, Tetris Energy, said, “Tetris Energy welcomes the opportunity to enter into the Power Purchase Agreement to sell electricity to Jacana Energy from the Manton Dam and Batchelor Solar Farms. This will be an important enabler in moving towards construction at the end of the wet season.
“Jacana Energy customers located all over the Darwin-Katherine network will receive the benefits of clean renewable electricity. By using the latest in single axis tracking Solar PV technology, it will allow the plants to generate more power in the mornings and evenings.
“The Northern Territory has enormous opportunity for renewable energy and Tetris Energy is excited to be a part of the Territory Government’s initiatives to enable this private sector investment in new renewable energy projects. We expect there to be an opportunity of around 70 local jobs during the construction of these two projects and ongoing local roles for service and maintenance.”
Tetris Energy has collaborated with Infigen Energy to advance the development of the Manton Dam and Batchelor Solar Projects.
