Pacific Energy has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Horizon Power to provide clean energy to Exmouth, a town in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region.
The project, announced by Western Australia’s Premier Roger Cook and Energy Minister Reece Whitby, will power the town with up to 80% renewable energy annually.
The Exmouth Power Project will feature a 9.6MW solar farm, a 49.6MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), and a 7MW gas power station.
This will be Pacific Energy’s first off-grid project to supply such a large portion of a town’s energy needs through solar and battery storage.
Mike Hall, Chief Operating Officer of Pacific Energy, highlighted the community’s desire for a clean energy solution that protects Exmouth’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“This outcome really has been driven by the Exmouth community’s desire for a clean energy solution… and Horizon Power’s commitment to delivering cleaner energy solutions to WA’s regional areas,” Hall said.
The project will reduce the town’s reliance on gas by using solar power and energy-shifting storage, enabling renewable energy use even when solar generation is unavailable. The system also meets Horizon Power’s requirements, allowing for gas-free operation for extended periods.
Exmouth’s location in a cyclonic wind region ruled out wind power, so Pacific Energy opted for a large battery to maximise solar energy use.
The project is expected to offset nearly 14,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually over its 20-year span.
Work on integrating the renewable energy components will begin in early 2025, with full operation expected by the end of 2026.
[Image in order: Horizon Power Acting Chief Executive Jennie Milne, Western Australia’s Premier Roger Cook, Horizon Power’s Executive GM Business Development & Strategy Vi Garood, Minister for Energy Reece Whitby, Pacific Energy CEO Mike Hall. Image Credit: Pacific Energy]
