Menzies Gold Town to Source 80% Power from Solar and Battery

A remote gold mining settlement in Western Australia’s renowned goldfields is set to derive 80 per cent of its energy requirements from solar power and battery storage, as revealed in a new project announcement on Wednesday.

The small town of Menzies, home to around 100 residents, will see the installation of a 409 kW solar array complemented by 2.8 megawatts of battery storage, effectively relegating diesel fuel to a backup role instead of being the primary energy source.

Project Implementation and Expectations

This innovative system will be designed, constructed, and managed by Pacific Energy, which aims to complete the project by mid-next year. Pacific Energy is also enhancing the 3.6 MW diesel power setup at another off-grid community, Laverton.

Such a commitment to renewable energy mirrors efforts found in other off-grid and remote locales, where various mines, including the Kathleen Valley mine, are achieving even greater renewable proportions, sometimes exceeding 95 per cent, thanks to additional wind turbine installations.

Government Support and Future Plans

State energy and decarbonisation minister Amber-Jade Sanderson expressed her excitement about Menzies shifting to 80 per cent renewable energy, highlighting it as one of the highest rates within the state. She noted, “This is a narrative we will see echoed throughout the state as we embrace the energy transition towards net zero.”

A number of off-grid towns in the Goldfields and Gascoyne regions, managed by the state-owned Horizon Energy, were targeted for a complete shift to renewable energy under a government-funded programme initiated five years ago.

However, the project concluded that a full 100 per cent renewable approach was not feasible, leading to a revised goal of achieving a substantial share of renewables instead.

Transitioning Reliance on Diesel

In Menzies, located 130 km from Kalgoorlie, the ageing diesel generators will be replaced with a new hybrid system. A power purchase agreement with Pacific Energy was finalised in February.

According to Horizon Energy, modernising this infrastructure aims to enhance reliability, diminish emissions, and accommodate future demand, including connections for new residents and businesses. They also noted that although the introduction of renewable energy might lower the town’s service costs, it won’t directly influence residents’ bills, which are currently subsidised by the government.

Environmental Benefits and Regional Leadership

The new power station, solar array, and battery storage facilities will be developed on land approximately 280 metres south of the existing power station and are expected to cut carbon emissions by nearly 500 tonnes annually—equivalent to removing around 200 cars from the road.

David Michael, Minister for Goldfields-Esperance, commented, “The region is already setting a standard for carbon emissions reduction, with new mines operating on renewable energy and battery storage to fully meet their energy needs.”

He added, “Domestic energy consumers are participating in this shift as more towns in the Goldfields embrace predominantly renewable energy solutions.”

Energy Challenges in the Kalgoorlie Region

Energy supply issues plague the Kalgoorlie area, even affecting towns that are connected to the main state grid. The infrastructure is frequently susceptible to interruptions from weather-related events such as storms, dust storms, and lightning strikes, while backup systems, including diesel generators, have proven unreliable.

The state government is now in the process of selecting suppliers for a 50 MW, 500 MWh vanadium flow battery, aimed at enhancing backup capabilities. This initiative is expected to support the local vanadium mining sector and create a higher-value market for its products.

Ali Kent, the Kalgoorlie MLA, remarked on the challenges of living in regional areas and the dependence on energy supply. “I’m deeply appreciative of the Cook Labor Government’s recognition of these concerns and their proactive approach in seeking solutions,” he said.