The Kimberley Clean Energy Roadmap provides the opportunity to act on renewable energy innovation and secure a safe climate future for WA, while saving millions on energy bills and helping to deliver the WA Government’s Plan for Jobs. There is a sound economic rationale for adopting this vision for a RE roadmap across the Kimberley. Meaningful consultation with Traditional Owners, the involvement of other local stakeholders, and the State Government Department of Communities and Horizon Power, will be crucial to its success. This research shows that significant amounts of surplus RE will be generated at some times. This energy could be used for new industry opportunities, such as to produce liquefied hydrogen fuel. A managed transition plan led by the WA government is key to maximising the benefits from implementing this RE roadmap. Such a plan would:
- Build on Horizon Power’s plans for micro-grids in the region
- Create a direct opportunity for the the WA Labor Government to deliver on their jobs plan
- Provide investment certainty and economies of scale to reduce installation costs
- Open up the potential for investment by indigenous communities or Native Title groups
- Map out the creation of a new sustainable regional workforce, and provide training opportunities to boost local indigenous employment
- Create a sustainable regional workforce
- Reduce reliance on fossil fuels; such as gas and diesel energy