The Shark Lake Renewables Hub has officially opened in Esperance, Western Australia, with nearly 50 per cent of Esperance’s total electricity demand to now be met by renewable sources.
Horizon Power partnered with Pacific Energy to deliver the new integrated power system comprising of a 4MW solar farm, two 4.5MW wind turbines, a 4MW battery energy storage system, and a 22MW high-efficiency gas power station.
The energy system, which is owned and operated by Pacific Energy, will feed into Horizon Power’s network and provide cleaner, greener power to Esperance.
Horizon Power and Pacific Energy have designed a system that allows for the integration of new technologies over the life of the assets to ensure more renewable energy is added as it becomes available.
The new Esperance power system is projected to save the State Government $10 million annually and will contribute to the Western Australian Government’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Western Australia Premier, Mark McGowan, said, “My Government is committed to investing in the solutions required to address climate change, and this project is a terrific example of how we are driving a prosperous low carbon future for Western Australia.
“This project cuts Esperance’s electricity generation emissions by almost 50 per cent on the old system, with the power station designed to integrate even more renewables as they become available.”
Western Australia Energy Minister, Bill Johnston, said, “Esperance’s new, integrated power solution is delivering a cleaner, more efficient power supply to customers in the region.
“The state-of-the-art renewables hub is reducing carbon emissions by nearly 50 per cent when compared to the previous power system.”
