COOBER PEDY'S BREATH OF FRESH AIR

ENERGY Developments Limited (ASX: ENE) is upgrading its Coober Pedy project to an advanced renewables hybrid, complementing its movement to more innovative energy solutions. 

ENE has secured $18.5 million of funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to turn its existing 3.9mw diesel power station in South Australia into a hybrid renewables focused power station with up to 2mw of solar PV and 3mw of wind generation.

The project is expected to be underpinned by a yet to be finalised 20 year power purchase agreement concerning ENE, the district council of Coober Pedy and the South Australian department of state development.

ENE proposes to combine wind, solar and diesel to provide Coober Pedy (pictured) with 70 per cent renewable energy over the life of the project

ENE managing director Greg Pritchard says the agreement is a leap for the company and a precursor to other renewable hybrid projects.

“We are the market leader in remote energy in the 1 to 100mw sector and currently own or operate 368mw of remote, off grid energy generation across 33 projects in Australia,” says Pritchard.

“This project highlights the company’s potential to implement renewable hybrid systems in off grid applications to provide customers with innovative energy solutions.

“It also positions ENE to be a leader in renewable hybrid systems in the remote off grid sector.

ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht says the “ambitious project” could serve as a prototype for other Australian communities.

“It may demonstrate a combined approach for powering off-grid Australian communities that currently rely solely on expensive trucked-in diesel,” says Frischknecht.

“Australia’s energy demand is growing off the grid and this landmark project will show how high penetration renewable energy projects can deliver safe, reliable power to off-grid communities.”

The existing Coober Pedy power supply arrangements are set to expire in 2019. This agreement will commence from mid-2017 provided contracts are finalised.