Horizon Power assumed responsibility for the delivery of power to 117 remote Aboriginal communities, formerly under the responsibility of the Department of Communities, on 1 July 2023.  The Blackstone community (Papulankutja) in the Esperance-Goldfields region of Western Australia (WA) is one of the largest communities in this portfolio. Its diesel-fired power station burnt down in November 2021, and the community has been powered by temporary diesel generation since then. Studies undertaken, concluded that most of the remote communities could be served using modules of approximately 100kW output. This led to the concept of a modular solution that minimizes site works. Given the demand profile is largely driven by air-conditioning loads and the correlation with solar PV generation indicates favourable outcomes for significant renewable energy support for these communities. Horizon Power will be issuing an RFT for the replacement of Blackstone Power Station with a hybrid modular solution.  

Horizon Power will be issuing an RFT for the replacement of Blackstone Power Station with a hybrid modular solution and the Request for Tender is anticipated to be released on Tenders WA between mid to end of June 2024.

For further information please refer to the Attachment 1.