Pacific Energy has finalised the integration of a centralised solar farm and BESS (battery energy storage system) in Norseman, marking the successful completion of Horizon Power’s Mid West Solar Program.
Norseman is the sixth and final town to receive integrated renewables as a part of the program, with solar farms in the mid-west towns of Cue, Sandstone, Yalgoo, Meekatharra and Wiluna all complete and in operation. Horizon Power has also delivered BESS units in all of these towns, except Wiluna, which received a unit in 2021.
The new system in Norseman comprises a 758kW solar farm and 336kWh BESS, and together with the other systems is expected to significantly reduce diesel usage, offsetting around 2100t of carbon emissions annually.
Excess electricity generated by the solar panels during the day will be stored in batteries for use overnight or on cloudy days, enabling diesel savings even when the sun isn’t shining.
By generating and storing their own renewable electricity, the towns will be able to significantly reduce their reliance on diesel generation, cutting down on fuel costs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and minimising the environmental impacts associated with diesel usage.
The renewable energy systems are expected to improve fuel security for the regional towns and reduce systems maintenance and operational costs.
The six renewable assets are owned by Horizon Power and operated and maintained by Pacific Energy.
Pacific Energy CEO, Jamie Cullen, said the systems were designed to help decarbonise the towns’ power supplies and enhance power quality for Horizon Power’s customers.
“The six solar systems have a combined capacity of over 2000kW and have generated and exported more than 1.8 million kilowatt hours of solar energy between January and November 2024.”
Mr Cullen said that’s the equivalent to powering around 280 average Australian family homes for the same period using 100 per cent renewable energy.
“Better still, the 4300kWh of BESS across the six sites will store excess solar energy generated during the day to improve grid stability and power quality and ensure the towns can benefit from renewable energy even when the sun isn’t shining.”
“We’re really pleased to continue to deliver clean energy solutions for Horizon Power and the Western Australian Government, and to support them on their journey to decarbonise the state’s power supplies.”
Horizon Power CEO, Stephanie Unwin, said the Mid West Solar Program is just one of many projects Horizon Power is proudly delivering that are supporting Western Australia’s regions with green energy solutions.
“The solar and battery systems provide a cleaner, greener alternative for remote towns that are currently relying solely on diesel generation for their energy needs,” she said.
“As well as helping to reduce carbon emissions, the solar and battery systems will deliver a lower cost solution for these communities.”
Horizon Power’s $15.1 million Mid West Solar Program was supported with $13.5 million in Commonwealth funding as part of the WA Microgrids program. It was delivered in partnership with sustainable distributed energy provider, Pacific Energy.
