Horizon Power :: New power stations at Marble Bar and Nullagine

Horizon Power is establishing two new power stations at Marble Bar and Nullagine, in the east Pilbara region of Western Australia. The power stations are the first high penetration, solar photovoltaic, diesel power stations in the world. The power stations will set new benchmarks for hybrid diesel islanded systems, with extremely high renewable energy generation and conversion.

Horizon Power is working with development partners PowerCorp Pty Ltd and Sunpower Australia to build, own and operate the new power stations.

The project will include the installation of almost 2000 solar modules in both towns and a solar tracking system that will follow the path of the sun in each town throughout the day. The ground-mounted system will be the largest solar tracking system in Australia.

Kinetic flywheel technology will also be used to store energy from the solar modules and to stabilise power quality between the diesel power station and the solar array.

The solar energy systems will generate over 1GWh of renewable energy per annum, supplying 60 per cent of the annual energy for both towns, saving 412,000 litres of fuel and 1100 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

The project will replace ageing power stations with modern, efficient and more environmentally-friendly power stations that will be significantly quieter, and able to meet the needs of local communities for the next twenty years.

Both Marble Bar and Nullagine are similar in size, demand and environment to many of the ten communities being considered as part of Phase Two of the Aboriginal and Remote Communities Power Supply Project. The project therefore provides an excellent opportunity to develop and refine a standard station design for the Phase Two communities.

Construction Works commenced at both sites in October 2009. Horizon Power will provide regular community updates on the progress of the construction of the power stations.

Project Update - September 2009

Solar energy information for children - September 2009

Project Information - January 2009

Artist's impression of the Marble Bar power station

Artist's impression of the Nullagine power station