The remote community of Bidyadanga in the West Kimberley will now receive lower power bills with the successful installation of 160 kilowatts of solar on community buildings.
Horizon Power contributed to the upfront cost of the solar systems as part of its Solar Incentives Scheme that were installed on four community buildings last week.
The Bidyadanga community is 100 per cent diesel fuelled so the installation of the solar will also reduce Horizon Power’s costs of providing electricity to the remote community, and that means the taxpayer subsidy that goes into regional electricity is also reduced.
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Horizon Power CEO Stephanie Unwin said the installation of solar panels on community buildings was in line with the business’ commitment to providing cleaner, greener, more affordable electricity to regional customers.
Bidyadanga CEO Tania Baxter said the “Tens of thousands of dollars the community will save on its power bills as a result of the solar can be invested back into the community to benefit residents. We would ultimately also like to see solar on the roofs of houses in the community, to help individuals reduce their power bills,” she said.
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The solar panels have been installed on the community’s administration building, general store, community service centre and local workshop.
Funding under the solar incentives scheme is capped for each community and is currently open to the corporations that are Horizon Power customers. The scheme is due to end in June.
