Another WA town adds battery storage to pave way for more rooftop solar

Residents of Exmouth in the far north-west of Western Australia will soon be able to deploy more rooftop solar with the completion of a new battery energy storage system.

Located in the Gascoyne region on Western Australia’s North West Cape, the resort town of Exmouth boasts a population of less than 3,000. But a wholesale switch to rooftop solar for residents has been held back by limitations with the existing grid infrastructure.

This is expected to change with the installation of the BESS.

Delivered by regional energy provider Horizon Power as part of its Energy Storage in Regional Towns project, which is supported by the Western Australian government, the Exmouth battery will store excess solar energy and free up more than 2,000kW of solar hosting capacity across the town.

Exmouth is one of nine towns across regional Western Australia that will receive a battery storage system designed to allow more residents and business owners to install and connect rooftop solar.

Similar storage systems have already been commissioned in the towns of Wiluna, Yalgoo, Carnarvon, and Marble Bar. The next town due to receive a BESS from Horizon Power’s program is Broome in WA’s Kimberley region, which is expected to be completed and commissioned in the next few months.

Once completed, the nine battery energy storage systems will provide access for more than 1,000 households and 500 businesses to connect a standard rooftop solar system. The WA government expects this could help to reduce household power bills by an average of $1,275 each year.

All-told, Horizon Power’s Energy Storage in Regional Towns project is expected to provide more than 10MW of extra rooftop solar for regional towns, reducing carbon dioxide by 13,000 tonnes annually.

“The state government is committed to working towards a cleaner and greener energy future for regional and remote Western Australians, with the implementation of innovative projects like BESS,” said Bill Johnston, WA energy minister.

“We are proud to be investing in battery storage solutions to help reduce the barriers of installing solar so more customers across our regions in towns, including Exmouth, can enjoy the benefits of rooftop solar.

“As well as providing benefits to home and business owners, the project supports our commitment of stimulating local communities, by providing opportunities for local installers.”