Microgrids to boost economic growth in regional and remote Australia

The Australian Government is backing 20 microgrid feasibility studies under Round Two of the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund.

These projects are located in every state, covering remote Indigenous and rural farming communities.

The studies will investigate whether a microgrid, or upgrade of existing off-grid technologies, would better meet community needs.

Microgrids reduce reliance on diesel generation, boosting sustainability and bringing down energy costs.

The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, said the government is committed to ensuring remote and regional communities are not disadvantaged by unreliable and expensive energy.

Speaking from Nowra, NSW, this morning the Minister said, ‘The Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund is all about shoring up the supply of secure, reliable and affordable energy for regional Australians and empowering communities to make the choices to best suit their energy needs.’

A collective of 18 dairy farmers in Nowra received funding in Round One. The group will establish a large-scale renewable energy biogas power generation plant. The plant will distribute electricity among the dairies, with excess power to be sold to retail customers. The project will serve as a model for potential adoption in agriculture across Australia.