Environs Kimberley, the region’s leading environmental organisation, has applauded Horizon Power‘s newly released Kimberley Future Energy System (FES) Project and Request for Tenders (RFT).

The project aims to supply electricity to the Kimberley towns of Broome, Derby, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, and the Looma-Camballin community for at least the next 20 years, starting from 2027.

The most significant aspect of the project is the ‘Renewable Energy Guarantee’, which paves the way for a strong renewable energy component.

For Broome and Derby, the largest markets, the guarantee ensures at least 80 per cent of the electricity will be generated from renewable sources, primarily solar power with storage.

Martin Pritchard, Director of Strategy at Environs Kimberley, hailed the project as a breakthrough for the Kimberley region.

“After years of watching LNG being trucked up to Broome from the Pilbara and burnt in the local gas-fired power station to supply the bulk of Broome’s electricity and seeing diesel generators relied on in the other towns, we are at last seeing the transition away from dirty, expensive fossil fuels to clean, lower-cost renewable energy.

Pritchard highlighted that the Broome Clean Energy Report, commissioned by Environs Kimberley and produced by Sustainable Energy Now (SEN) in 2023, estimated that over 80 per cent of Broome’s electricity generation could be achieved with renewable energy at three-quarters of the price of gas-fired (LNG) generation.

“It is very rewarding to see those findings picked up in this project,” he added.

With the Kimberley region’s abundant sunshine, Pritchard emphasised that switching to a largely renewable grid is a “no-brainer”.

He also welcomed the RFT’s requirement that participants “exclude electricity supply solutions that utilise fossil fuel generation as the primary source of electricity generation”.

While acknowledging the potential need for a small supply of gas or diesel as backup, at least for the time being, Pritchard expressed delight at the prospect of transitioning from the current situation to 80 per cent renewables in Broome and Derby.

Environs Kimberley has vowed to closely monitor the process to ensure there is no slippage in meeting the renewables guarantee or allowing fossil fuel companies to exploit the system.