Nine North West Queensland Mayors have welcomed the federal government's $50 million commitment of feasibility funds toward microgrid solutions for regional and remote communities.
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A microgrid involves installing solar panels and batteries to localise power source, something the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils have already identified as a solution to problems in some communities.
There is $50.4 million in the budget to explore whether microgrids might be a cheaper, more reliable solution in communities at the very end of the power line, which is an issue in places like Normanton.
The NWQROC say that point 2 (power policy) of their strategic six-point plan includes support for off-grid solutions for remote communities.
"This announcement is one step in the right direction as NWQ communities continue to seek commitment to deliver reliable and affordable energy across a large, diverse region that has long been ignored," the NWQROC said in a statement.
"Faced with ageing and inadequate infrastructure, a more comprehensive, fair regional deal is needed to deliver the first world energy solutions, as well as transport, water infrastructure, energy, communications and community facilities, that hardworking North West Queenslanders deserve."
The NWQROC said there was insufficient investment in networks to connect our communities to reliable power, wherever it comes from.
"Our region already hosts a number of major solar projects and we would be happy for more.
"But we can't support them at the moment because the network capacity simply can't take them. Some very remote communities connected to unreliable single-wire earth return (SWER) networks would be better off with more investment in distributed power solutions."
Among the solutions canvassed in the six-point plan include incentives for distributed solutions for remote properties and communities where unreliable SWER networks don't work and replacing older diesel generation with cleaner hybrid generators that combine lower emitting fuels and renewables.
The NWQROC has called on Labor to support the microgrid proposal.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
