Regional power rollout moves to Esperance

The state government has continued its rollout of off-grid renewable systems, with Perth-based CPS National set to install micro power systems in the Esperance region.

Horizon Power has contracted CPS to install 13 micro power systems (MPS) across 14 properties from April, with the systems set to be fully operational by the end of this year.

MPS are stand-alone power systems that consist of solar and battery technology, and include a back-up diesel generator in case more power is needed.

In a statement, the government said the MPS will replace about 54 kilometres of ageing power lines, which would reduce the risk of bushfires caused by lightning strikes as well as risks associated with farm machinery.

The government said customers would not have to pay extra for the systems.

Energy Minister Bill Johnston said the MPS project for Esperance highlighted the government’s commitment to transitioning to renewable energy technologies at the lowest cost possible to taxpayers.

"These farmers are at the fringe of the power grid, east of Esperance and the Condingup area, where reliability isn't as good and power outages take longer to restore,” he said.

"The MPS will provide the farmers with more reliable and safe power that will cost the state less to provide."

Last month, the government announced the $8.8 million rollout of a stand-alone power systems (SPS), with Perth-based companies Hybrid Systems and BayWA r.e Solar Systems to lead the first stage of deployment.

Hybrid Systems Australia and BayWa r.e Solar Systems will be responsible for the majority of the round one rollout of stand-alone power system units to 57 sites across the South West.

An SPS is a solar-battery-diesel power generating system, intended to run isolated from a power grid.