- Delivery of Exmouth Battery Energy Storage System enables more rooftop solar
- Solar hosting capacity in Exmouth to be expanded
- Supports households to reduce energy costs
Exmouth residents and business owners will soon have access to more rooftop solar, with the completion of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the Gascoyne town.
The Exmouth BESS will store excess solar energy and free up more than 2,000 kilowatts (kW) of solar hosting capacity, which is expected to be made available to customers in May 2023.
The energy transition is important for the Exmouth community, which is situated in a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Exmouth BESS supports an increase of rooftop solar for a cleaner and greener future.
The Exmouth BESS was installed by regional energy provider, Horizon Power, as part of its Energy Storage in Regional Towns project, supported by the State Government.
Exmouth is one of nine towns across regional WA receiving a battery storage system, which is enabling more residents and business owners to install, connect and benefit from rooftop solar and reduced energy bills.
Storage systems have already been commissioned in Wiluna, Yalgoo, Carnarvon and Marble Bar. Broome will be the next town to receive a BESS, with commissioning expected to start in the next few months.
The nine systems combined will allow more than 1000 households and 500 businesses to connect to a standard rooftop solar system. This could reduce household power bills by an average $1,275 a year.
The Energy Storage in Regional Towns project is providing more than 10 megawatts of extra rooftop solar for regional towns and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 13,000 tonnes a year.
As stated by Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
“The State Government is committed to working towards a cleaner and greener energy future for regional and remote Western Australians, with the implementation of innovative projects like BESS.
“We are proud to be investing in battery storage solutions to help reduce the barriers of installing solar so more customers across our regions in towns, including Exmouth, can enjoy the benefits of rooftop solar.
“As well as providing benefits to home and business owners, the project supports our commitment of stimulating local communities, by providing opportunities for local installers.”
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Peter Foster:
“I am thrilled that more households and businesses in Exmouth will be able to install rooftop solar because of the new Battery Energy Storage System.
“Besides reducing the town’s emissions footprint, the BESS will also help cut power bills for residents and businesspeople alike.”
