Original Power is working in partnership with Borroloola on a community-led energy project offering a unique and new arrangement for both the utility and the consumer.

The project however is facing regulatory roadblocks.

This session reviews the successes and challenges to date.

SPEAKERS: Scotty McDinny, Madie Sturgess, Dr Alan Langworthy

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.

The Ngardara ‘Sun’ Project in Borroloola, Northern Territory is in development.

The community is working with Original Power and renewable energy experts to conduct a feasibility study to design and build their own solar microgrid. 

The project will cut local energy costs and reduce reliance on the town’s ageing and polluting diesel generators, providing a model for community ownership of power generation assets that can be shared with other communities seeking to benefit from and expand the reach of the clean energy revolution.

The project is moving through assessment with the assistance of Original Power and when completed, will be one of the first First Nations-owned community-scale renewable energy projects in the Northern Territory.

https://vimeo.com/802904528

Across the country, First Nations communities are right now designing and building renewables, from small-scale solar to microgrids, while others are negotiating with large-scale proponents. Hear from them about what’s working, what’s not, and what they’ve learnt along the way.

Speakers:

• Ellie Kamara, CEO, Atyenhenge Atherre Aboriginal Corporation
• Jason King, TO, Atyenhenge Atherre Aboriginal Corporation
• Les Shultz, Mirning / Ngadju
• Gadrian Hoosan, Borroloola
• Lauren Mellor, Original Power

Australia’s remote landscapes soak up some of the highest levels of solar irradiation on the planet. And as they also attract increasing interest in the renewable energy bonanza, Indigenous landowners are positioning to power up their communities and a brighter, cleaner future. Jordyn Beazley reports.