News & announcements

• Renewables expected to generate 80 per cent of Exmouth’s energy in the next three years
• Community sentiment helps shape decision-making for new generation solution

Horizon Power is forging ahead with renewable energy solutions for remote Aboriginal communities, with construction well underway on a solar farm and battery storage solution in Kalumburu.

Kalumburu is the furthermost permanent settlement along the remote Kimberley coast. It has traditionally been home to two distinct Aboriginal language groups, the Kwini (Kuini) and Kulari.

Horizon Power has awarded a major contract to a Kimberley builder to redevelop its Kununurra depot.

The project is designed to improve functionality and safety and enhance customer experience. It is also expected to futureproof the building for up to 20 years.

To meet our ambition of delivering clean energy solutions for regional growth and vibrant communities, we measure the social impact we have through our Social Impact Index. As a regional business, we understand that the way we operate has a direct impact on the communities we serve. Horizon Power measures our social impact by assessing metrics that sit in two key areas - Regional Growth and Vibrant Communities.

Horizon Power has awarded a contract to install and supply solar power for the Derby Hospital to West Kimberley-based joint venture partners, Generators and Off-Grid Energy and H&M Tracey Construction.

As a part of its $5.2 million Derby Solar, Battery and Smart Streetlights project, Horizon Power worked with the Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS) to develop a renewable energy solution that will significantly reduce the hospital’s electricity costs.

Owners and operators of caravan parks and accommodation establishments across regional Western Australia are being urged to report electrical shocks and tingles from taps and appliances to reduce the risk of electric shocks.

Horizon Power is offering four-year apprenticeships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a Certificate III in Electrical Fitting or Engineering (Mechanical Trade)

The apprenticeships will include both classroom training and on-the-job experience. The participants will be supported by skilled and experienced supervisors, as well as Horizon Power’s internal Aboriginal engagement team.

Horizon Power has awarded funding of over $500,000 to 40 community organisations across regional Western Australia in the first round of its 2021/22 Community Partnerships Program.

The Community Partnership Program was revitalised a year ago to support regional communities in a sustainable way. Assessments are based on community need and the funding ranges from $1,000 to $50,000 per proposal.

Horizon Power marked a significant milestone in its efforts to support the State Government’s WA Recovery Plan at the Derby Memorial Swimming Pool last night, announcing the completion of rooftop solar installations on 13 Shire of Derby/West Kimberley buildings and more than 1,100 energy-efficient streetlight upgrades.

The $5.2 million Derby Solar, Battery and Smart Streetlights project is a part of Horizon Power’s $75 million Renew the Regions program, aimed at stimulating regional economies and improving access to renewable energy in the regions.

Horizon Power presently supplies power to Denham’s 750 residents through a hybrid wind generation and diesel system, with wind supplying around 30 percent of demand.

As part of the new generation solution for Denham, the existing diesel power station is undergoing an upgrade and the town is currently being powered by a temporary power station. The wind farm has been temporarily turned off while the upgrade takes place.

In a strong show of support for regional economic development, Western Australian energy provider Horizon Power today showcased its first regional customer experience centre in Broome.

Located in the Broome town centre, the new facility will also operate as a contact centre for customers in Horizon Power’s servicing area, covering 2.3 million square kilometres from Kununurra in the north to Esperance in the south.

Please be aware of scammers calling and posing as Horizon Power and Western Power customer service teams and asking you to provide a credit card number to receive a credit refund from your energy bill.

The Derby Memorial Swimming Pool will soon become home to a vibrant mural designed and painted by local artist Jessica Bidewell and more than 50 Derby kids.

The 7-metre artwork will be mounted beneath the new solar shade Horizon Power has installed at the pool as a part of its $5.2 million Renew the Regions Derby solar, battery and smart streetlights project, which will significantly reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

Horizon Power and Contract Power Australia are excited to announce that the Shark Lake Renewable Energy Project has reached a substantial milestone with the arrival of the new wind turbines into the port of Esperance. The vessel is forecast to dock on Friday 25 June 2021. Once alongside the wind turbines will be discharged into the Southern Ports laydown yard where the modules will be prepared for transport via road freight to the Renewables Hub on Shark Lake Road.

Don’t miss your opportunity to showcase your business across Western Australia.  Horizon Power has partnered with Business News to launch the first Regional Business of the Year Award through the RISE Business Awards program.   

The Awards provide a forum for regional businesses to showcase their achievements and will reward and acknowledge businesses of all sizes for their resourcefulness, imagination, sustainability, and excellence. 

Horizon Power, together with our partners PXiSE Energy Solutions and SwitchDin, successfully powered Onslow with 100 per cent renewable energy in a demonstration of advanced microgrid technology. The first step in delivering on the ambition of making this part of normal operation.

In a complex and technically challenging endeavour, the hydrocarbon free operation was achieved for 80 minutes utilising an DER System (DERMS), orchestrating both traditional energy sources with customer and utility solar and battery solutions.

Horizon Power is committed to partnering with organisations to help support regional WA. We are launching our community partnership round for the 21/22 financial year.

Between June and August 2021, we will hold a number of information sessions across regional WA for not for profit organisations and local government authorities to attend to learn more about the program and investment partnership packages available.

Through Horizon Power’s Community Partnerships Program, the business is continuing to support the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre (SPPT) to take its latest production, Beanstalk, to school children in the Pilbara and Kimberley.

Since first partnering with Horizon Power in 2016, the SPPT has given a mix of workshops and performances to thousands of children across the regions. Additional funding from Horizon Power will see the SPPT visit schools in Karratha, Port Hedland, Marble Bar, Broome, Derby and Wyndham in May and June 2021.

Each year, the WA State Government reviews electricity tariff prices, fees and charges so they better reflect the costs of making and delivering electricity through Western Australia.

This year the WA State Government has announced changes to most electricity tariffs, in line with inflation. These changes come into effect from 1 July 2021.

Horizon Power’s Stimulus Program, Renew the Regions, recently commissioned an independent review into whether it was meeting its commitments to deliver work opportunities and promote business confidence in the company’s regional service area, and the findings look promising.

When the utility first announced its now $75 million portfolio of projects as a part of the state government’s WA Recovery Plan, it committed to creating immediate and longer-term jobs in the regions, while also creating opportunities for regional suppliers and contractors.