ARENA backs remote island solar hybrid project
A solar and storage project designed to replace diesel generation on the Lord Howe Island has been announced by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The island is located 600km from the Australian mainland in the Tasman Sea. Photon Energy Engineering Australia was awarded the tender to deliver a minimum of 1.2 MW solar capacity and a 3.2MWh battery system to provide over three-quarters of the local power requirements. The system has been specifically designed for small-scale remote deployment and it is expected that knowledge gained from this project will be shared for the benefit of other isolated and remote communities. ARENA will contribute A$4.5 million towards the project with the New South Wales Government providing a A$5.9 million loan and the Lord Howe Island Board (LHIB) making up the balance of the A$11.1 million project.
