Horizon awards Derby solar contract

State-owned Horizon Power has contracted two businesses in the West Kimberley to install rooftop solar panels as part of a $5.2 million project at Derby Hospital.

Joint venture partners, Generators and Off-Grid Energy and T&M Tracey Construction, have been tasked with installing a 364-kilowatt rooftop solar system at the regional hospital, intended to meet 27 per cent of its energy requirements.

The project is also expected to cut annual energy costs by 40 per cent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 334 tonnes each year.

Horizon Power said the JV would work with local contractors on the project, with installation to start this month and the works to be completed by early 2022.

“It’s really important to Horizon Power that we can partner with local contractors like Generators and Off-Grid Energy and H&M Tracey, who understand the challenges of supplying energy to remote towns like Derby,” Krystal Skinner, Horizon Power general manager of customer experience, said.

“Local knowledge can help us to deliver the best solutions for our customers, and we know awarding important contracts like this one to local contractors is key to creating sustainable regional economies.

“This is a great outcome for everyone involved in the project, and further demonstrates our commitment to putting the regions first.”

Horizon says it will deploy a community battery to ensure work on the hospital doesn’t impact other solar customers in the area.