A major milestone has been reached at Geraldton Airport with the completion of an innovative microgrid project designed to ensure regional connectivity and ongoing support of essential services in the Midwest.
Providing reliable green energy, the state-of-the-art microgrid allows the Geraldton Airport Precinct, one of the first in regional Australia, to run independently off the grid on solar and battery power.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune said the completion of the project is a significant achievement for the City, demonstrating its commitment to delivering sustainable and resilient services.
“Geraldton Airport is a critical community asset, and this investment helps safeguard its ability to continue supporting regional connectivity, aviation services, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and State Emergency Service operations,” he said.
“This project also represents another substantial step in the City’s journey towards achieving net zero emissions by 2030.”
The microgrid was designed, built and integrated end-to-end by UON’s team in Western Australia, covering everything from the solar arrays and battery storage through to the management software that ties the system together.
UON Executive Chairman Mark Keogh said the new setup gives the airport a smarter, more resilient way to manage its power needs.
“Geraldton Airport’s power system now operates through a microgrid that combines solar power, battery storage and intelligent controls,” he said.
“This allows the airport to make the most of renewable energy while maintaining a reliable power supply, with both UON and the City able to monitor system performance in real time, around the clock.”
Keogh said keeping the technology local was an important part of the project.
“Every part of this system, including the software that controls it, was developed here in Australia,” said Keogh.
“That matters because the knowledge stays here, it supports local engineering through the energy transition, and it creates real opportunities for the next generation of Australians wanting to build careers in this space.
“UON will continue supporting the system for the City well beyond installation.”
Construction of the $6 million project was funded in part by a $2 million grant from the Commonwealth government’s Disaster Ready Fund, with the support of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
The project ensures Geraldton Airport can maintain power to essential operations even during disruptions to the wider electricity network, a capability that takes on added importance given the airport’s role in supporting emergency response and healthcare access across the Midwest region.
Beyond its resilience benefits, the microgrid also delivers a significant reduction in the airport’s reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity, cutting operating costs over time while reducing the precinct’s carbon footprint.
This program aligns with the Leading theme of the City’s Strategic Community Plan, which reflects the organisation’s commitment to efficiently and effectively delivering community services.
The completed system stands as a model for how regional infrastructure can be upgraded to meet future energy demands, combining local expertise with practical, on-the-ground resilience for the communities that depend on it.
