Recommendations

Recommendations

This pioneering research study and modelling demonstrates that the commitment to a RE future for the Kimberley will create a reliable, economically-favourable source of electricity for the future, reduce electricity costs for consumers, and create long-term jobs. Before implementation can commence, some technical and regulatory challenges need to be overcome. Achieving these changes requires clear political direction from the Western Australian Government. This report recommends that the WA Government:

  • Adopts the Kimberley Clean Energy Roadmap
  • Supports implementation of Horizon Power’s advanced microgrid roadmap
  • Develops a Kimberley Electricity Transition plan from this Roadmap
  • Updates policy settings to enable HP to facilitate a RE transition in the Kimberley (update generation rules, adopt microgrid standards, and enable an ongoing pipeline of RE installation, with associated economies of scale)
  • Conducts in-depth feasibility studies for the uptake of renewable electricity in the Kimberley as soon as possible
  • Allocates funding in the forward estimates to develop the managed transition plan and implement a Kimberley Clean Energy Roadmap
  • Pre-approves RE development zones and transmission corridors, after meaningful consultation with Traditional Owners, to enable rapid implementation
  • Develops plans/ support for a Kimberley RE construction industry
  • Develops tender requirements, reverse auction conditions and Power Purchase Agreement criteria
  • Develops staged plans of works for the Towns and Industry, Medium Communities and Small Communities

The Kimberley Clean Energy Roadmap could act as a pilot for the wider adoption of RE across the south western corner of the State. And ultimately, if adopted, this model could be rolled-out to other parts of regional and remote WA.

This pioneering research study and modelling demonstrates that the commitment to a RE future for the Kimberley will create a reliable, economically-favourable source of electricity for the future, reduce electricity costs for consumers, and create long-term jobs. Before implementation can commence, some technical and regulatory challenges need to be overcome. Achieving these changes requires clear political direction from the Western Australian Government. This report recommends that the WA Government:

  • Adopts the Kimberley Clean Energy Roadmap
  • Supports implementation of Horizon Power’s advanced microgrid roadmap
  • Develops a Kimberley Electricity Transition plan from this Roadmap
  • Updates policy settings to enable HP to facilitate a RE transition in the Kimberley (update generation rules, adopt microgrid standards, and enable an ongoing pipeline of RE installation, with associated economies of scale)
  • Conducts in-depth feasibility studies for the uptake of renewable electricity in the Kimberley as soon as possible
  • Allocates funding in the forward estimates to develop the managed transition plan and implement a Kimberley Clean Energy Roadmap
  • Pre-approves RE development zones and transmission corridors, after meaningful consultation with Traditional Owners, to enable rapid implementation
  • Develops plans/ support for a Kimberley RE construction industry
  • Develops tender requirements, reverse auction conditions and Power Purchase Agreement criteria
  • Develops staged plans of works for the Towns and Industry, Medium Communities and Small Communities

The Kimberley Clean Energy Roadmap could act as a pilot for the wider adoption of RE across the south western corner of the State. And ultimately, if adopted, this model could be rolled-out to other parts of regional and remote WA.