Horizon Power, TAFE in training partnership

North Metropolitan TAFE students will have hands-on experience and training in renewable energy infrastructure after the campus signed an agreement with Horizon Power.

The state government-owned energy provider donated a three-kilowatt standalone power system (SPS) unit to the TAFE campus in East Perth.

Horizon Power is installing more than 100 SPS units, comprising of solar panels and battery storage with back-up diesel generation, across the state.

The donated SPS unit contains three lithium-ion batteries and four solar panels outputting 370 watts each.

Horizon Power and North Metropolitan TAFE signed a memorandum of understanding about operations and maintenance training packages for new technologies including SPS units, hydrogen, community battery storage and systems.

Energy Minister Bill Johnston said the state government has supported Horizon Power with $45.8 million to deliver 150 SPS systems in regional Western Australia.

“These additional units are on top of the sixty-nine Horizon Power has already delivered and will be distributed in three tranches in the Gascoyne, Goldfields, and Esperance regions,” he said.

“Benefits of SPS include safer, more reliable and greener energy solutions for workers and communities.”

Training Minister Simone McGurk said the government was committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

“We also know there is significant opportunity for WA to be a global clean energy superpower and we need a skilled workforce to achieve these goals,” she said.

“The new National Skills Agreement presents a fantastic opportunity to deliver the advanced skills base needed by industry right across the state to support the transition to net zero.

“Our TAFE and university sectors will be vital to training workers for jobs to deliver the clean energy transition.

“Many of the people working in power generation will have transferable skills needed for the transition to a bigger mix of renewable energy in the economy.”