The Western Australian Government has announced plans to deliver a new renewable energy system for the Goldfields town of Menzies, with the project expected to supply up to 80 per cent renewable energy to the community.
According to the WA Government, the system will combine 409kW of solar generation with 2.8MWh of battery energy storage, supported by diesel generation as backup.
In a news release, the government said the project is expected to provide renewable energy to more than 100 residents and reduce carbon emissions by up to 500 tonnes each year, which the Government said is equivalent to removing around 200 cars from the road.
The project will be delivered through a power purchase agreement between Horizon Power and Pacific Energy, with Pacific Energy responsible for designing, building and operating the system.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with completion targeted for mid-2027.
The announcement also includes upgrades for the nearby community of Laverton, where Pacific Energy will install 3.6MW of new diesel generation capacity to replace the town’s ageing system.
The WA Government said the upgrade is intended to improve the reliability and resilience of the local power supply.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the project would make Menzies one of the State’s leading regional communities for renewable energy.
“I’m thrilled to see that Menzies will soon run on 80 per cent renewable energy, one of the highest rates in the State,” Sanderson said.
“This is a story that we will see repeated around the State as we undergo the energy transition and move towards net zero.”
She added that the Cook Labor Government was committed to ensuring regional communities had access to “cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable power for the future.”
Goldfields-Esperance Minister David Michael said the project formed part of the Government’s broader efforts to expand renewable energy across the region.
“I’m proud to be part of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to providing more clean, renewable energy to towns across the Goldfields,” Michael said.
He said the Goldfields was already reducing emissions through mining operations using solar, wind and battery storage, adding that more towns were being converted to predominantly renewable energy sources supported by battery storage.
Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent said reliable energy remained an important issue for regional communities.
“Living in the regions and reliance on energy supply can be challenging,” Kent said.
“This announcement means that Menzies can continue to prosper and I look forward to seeing this important renewables project come to fruition.”
