Horizon Power :: Remote school children's lesson in world-first solar technology

Horizon Power is visiting Marble Bar and Nullagine schools as part of our community engagement process leading up to the construction of Australia’s biggest solar power stations.

Horizon Power will soon begin construction work on two new power stations in Marble Bar and Nullagine - bringing clean, green electricity to the towns using proven technology on a scale not yet seen in Australia.

The solar farms will comprise 1008 solar panels in Marble Bar and 900 panels in Nullagine, in an innovative project which combines solar energy and diesel fuel to ensure reliability and quality of power supply in the towns.

The technology being used to harness nature’s energy in the two hottest towns in Australia is the first of its type seen in the world. The technology combines solar and diesel generation with a flywheel energy storage system to ensure the reliability of supplies.

Horizon Power staff visited Marble Bar and Nullagine with Role Models WA, led by former Perth Wildcats player Ricky Grace.

Role Models WA provides assistance and support to remote Indigenous communities of Western Australia with sporting and development programs. Role Models WA focuses on mentoring programs that foster leadership, teamwork and confidence in children in order to develop sporting skills, healthy physical education programs and incentives to stay in school.

Horizon Power will continue to work alongside Ricky Grace to promote leadership and confidence to make a difference to the students while educating the communities about the new solar power stations and safety advice about how to use electricity and the dangers of electrical equipment.

Horizon Power staff will involve the school students with an interactive presentation providing information about the benefits of building the new power stations in their communities. School students will also receive gifts including footballs promoting solar power.

A community barbeque was held for all members of the community to attend with the opportunity to discuss the new power stations with Horizon Power staff.

“I am excited to have Horizon Power as a teammate on our trip to the Pilbara,” Mr Grace said.

“Role Models WA has a strong focus on delivering quality educational programs in an innovative way and Horizon Power are leaders with innovation in their field so it seems like a perfect way to promote our messages to the communities. Without financial support from companies such as Horizon Power, Role Models WA wouldn’t be able to reach what is now over 3,000 Indigenous Australians,” he said.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and WA mining company FMG Resources also sponsor Role Models WA for its development program Up 4 It.
Horizon Power Managing Director Rod Hayes said the world-first solar power project in Marble Bar and Nullagine would deliver an improved reliability of power supplies to customers when work was completed in the second half of next year.

“Horizon Power is excited to be at the forefront of this technology which will benefit our communities and the environment,” Mr Hayes said.

“The opportunity to showcase this work to the next generation in one of the remotest parts of WA is an important part of our strategy to create lasting value in the communities we serve,” he said.

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Media contact:

Noeleen McCann
08 9173 8283

Phillippa Brown
08 6310 1575

Wendy Pryer
08 6310 1576