This week Borroloola community members came together to launch the Ngardara Cooperative to drive development of its proposed 2.5MW solar microgrid aimed at re-powering the remote township of Borroloola in the Northern Territory's Gulf Country.
It's a step towards a model of renewable energy development that shares the benefits of cleaner, lower cost renewable energy directly with First Nations households.
The community successfully delivered its feasibility study to the Commonwealth earlier this year, showing strong potential for community benefit, generation cost and emissions savings from the project, including plans to exceed the Northern Territory government's 70% renewable energy goals for remote areas.
Congratulations to the Ngardara Board of Directors and the Borroloola community for their leadership and vision, project drivers Original Power, and project partners Ekistica and Impact Investment Group.
The project has had strong backing from the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) in the formation work.
Ngardara Cooperative is now part of the growing network of community energy cooperatives across Australia that are working together to put affordable, clean energy under community control.
Stay up to date with this exciting project here.