A fundraising campaign raised $150,000 for the installation of a solar power energy system on Mumuthumburru (West Island), a small community off the coast of the Northern Territory's gulf region.

"Thanks to your generosity, solar power will guide me and my family back to our special Saltwater Country," says Garrwa elder Shirley Simon. 

"I'm looking forward to raising the next generation on their homeland now with everything we need for a healthy life."

The residents of Mumathumburru (West Island) were forced to leave their homeland in 2021, after the community's ageing energy system failed.

"With no power, our water pumps stopped working too and our family were made to move to Borroloola where we've lived in overcrowded housing with relatives for four years now," Shirley said.

"We come back as much as we can to be on our homeland, but the cost of diesel for the generator and keeping our boat running is too much.

"I used to cry for my homeland sitting empty, hoping to see my grandkids grow up there one day."

The new solar energy system was installed by Ngardara Cooperative and Original Power, and shows the viability of solar energy in remote communities.

"We hope this success will inspire further support and investment from the government and other stakeholders,” says Ngardara Cooperative director and Garrwa man Scott McDinny.

"The Mumuthumburru model provides a blueprint for other homelands communities to benefit from renewable energy,” says Original Power clean energy communities coordinator Lauren Mellor.

Read a case study about the project here.

This is an excerpt from an article published by AAP.