THE ANDERSON FAMILY … “SINCE HAVING SOLAR INSTALLED ON MY OUTSTATION WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO RUN SCHOOL OF THE AIR FOR THE KIDS WITHOUT A GENERATOR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIFETIME’ 

The Ngardara project will improve energy security and reduce energy expenditure for the remote township of Borroloola in the Gulf of Carpentaria, 1000 kilometres south-east of Darwin by road, by switching from diesel power to lower cost solar. 

It is being driven by two Indigenous-controlled organisations, Ngardara Cooperative and Original Power, in a partnership designed to overcome structural barriers to community-owned energy and unlock investment opportunities while decarbonising remote power networks. 

Ngardara means sun in the Garrwa and Yanyuwa dialects and it’s this power that the Borroloola community hopes to harness to transform lives and local economies in the remote township. 

Cooperative chair Conrad Rory says: “Our people have struggled for decades to keep up with rising household power costs. 

“Most Indigenous households access power through a mandated pre-payment arrangement, where power disconnects automatically when credit expires. Sometimes families wait many hours or even days at a time before affording to reconnect. 

“Having no power impacts families getting to school and work, storing food and medicines safely, and in hot weather, the loss of power can be fatal for our sick and elderly.” 

In 2019, Original Power was asked to work with the Ngardara Cooperative towards a solution for lower-cost energy. Five years and a lot of hard work later they are preparing to start construction on Australia’s first majority Indigenous -owned, utility-scale microgrid. 

“And we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.” 

Original Power and Ngardara Cooperative completed a detailed feasibility study in 2022 and the project partners are now working together to drive the transition plan towards construction and connection of the $16 million microgrid. 

The project is funded through a combination of equity investment, low-cost debt and grant money to demonstrate the viability of a blended finance model for remote renewables that can service a range of commercial interests, while putting community-ownership and outcomes first. 

The project is underpinned by a 25-year commercial agreement to sell solar energy to the Northern Territory Government retailer, Jacana Energy, with income generated to be shared between community owners and investment partners. 

Jacana’s chief executive Rod Hayes says: “Jacana Energy is committed to delivering leading smart energy solutions for the Northern Territory. 

“We’re delighted to be part of the Ngardara project as it represents a significant advancement in sustainable energy for remote communities. By transitioning to solar power, we are not only reducing energy costs but also enhancing energy security and making a profound impact on the lives of the Borroloola community. 

“Our collaboration with Original Power and the Ngardara community exemplifies the remarkable outcomes we can achieve through partnership.” 

And Original Power’s Renewable Energy Project Lead Madie Sturgess says: “Getting the commercial structure for such a project right has been critical, because on the other side of this is a potentially replicable model for many more communities across the NT and into other states. 

“We wanted to show that not only is it possible to pass savings through to community consumers and relieve household energy budgets, but also to reduce NT Government subsidies on the high cost of remote power generation. 

“If more of these projects are allowed to proceed, and enabling regulation is the key barrier here, we could eventually see a pathway for the costs of power coming down for all Territorians.” 

The NT Government’s Power and Water Corporation generates electricity for Borroloola with diesel, which supplies 88 percent of the electricity needs. 

Remaining power comes from a relatively small solar PV system. 

The existing solar system does have the capacity to export at greater levels, but can’t due to the configuration and operation of the diesel system. 

Ngardara project will increase solar and battery storage capacity by using a control system that integrates with existing PowerWater generation, and helps to unlock existing spilled solar capacity, improving efficiencies across the entire network. 

The microgrid will comprise of a 2.1 MWDC solar photovoltaic and 3.2 MW/6.2MWh battery energy storage system, supplying up to 80 percent renewable energy fraction and allowing the township to run in diesel-off mode at peak sun throughout the day. 

It is expected to save the NT Government 1.2 million litres of diesel every year and reduce CO2 by 70,000 tonnes over the life of the project. 

By reducing energy costs, it will also improve health and social wellbeing of the community. 

It is envisioned that the innovative, community-led approach will unlock opportunities for sustainable growth and act as a model for other regional and remote Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. 

The Ngardara project will also benefit the Borroloola community by creating jobs and skills development for Indigenous people. A majority of the project’s workforce are from Borroloola, with training already underway to prepare the workforce ahead of construction scheduled for mid Dry season this year 

Due to the strong community ownership and engagement principles underpinning the project, there is broad support from the region’s four Indigenous clean groups – Mara, Gudanji, Garrawa and Yanyuwa – and representative bodies, such as Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation and Roper Gulf Regional Council. 

Dr Alan Langworthy, who has decades of experience developing renewable energy projects, microgrids and innovative power control system technology, is a board director of Ngardara Cooperative and the project’s technical advisor. 

“I have worked collaboratively with the Power and Water Corporation in remote power generation for more than 35 years,” he says. 

“Here in the NT we developed successful wind and solar diesel power systems for deployment around the world through my company Powercorp. But the Borroloola project is a game changer. 

“For the first time the community residents in Borroloola will be able to benefit directly from their investment in solar energy. Lower cost of electricity through household meter credits, more reliable supply and sustainable long term employment offer the community long-term benefits. 

“Unfortunately, regulatory barriers and legacy attitudes to change made the Borroloola project difficult to achieve, but as we move to construction in Borroloola I’m looking forward to ensuring that success here makes follow-up projects easier for community developers and their industry and finance developers.”