The Northern Territory of Australia is considering the development of the Darwin Renewable Energy Hub
It is proposed to host up to 210 MW of solar energy along with BESS capacity
It sees the project as helping provide reliable and clean electricity for homes and businesses
The Northern Territory Government (NTG) in Australia has invited public feedback for the solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) powered AUD 400 million ($258 million) Darwin Renewable Energy Hub (Darwin REH) to host 180 MW to 210 MW of solar energy.
This hub will comprise 6 large-scale solar farms with the BESS on a single site near existing network infrastructure in the Darwin-Katherine region.
It is proposed to be located on 940 hectares of Crown Land on the west side of FinnRoad, identified for industry under the Darwin Regional Land Use Plan and Litchfield Subregional Land Use Plan.
According to NTG, this proposed project will enable maximized generation and minimized connection costs. It will entail a reliable and clean electricity supply for homes and businesses connected to the grid. This is part of its plans to meet the growing energy demand in the region.
“The Darwin Renewable Energy Hub will deliver multiple benefits to Territorians, including placing downward pressure on wholesale electricity costs, generating economic activity and jobs in the region, supporting energy security and grid resilience and environmental benefits through avoided greenhouse gas emissions,” it added.
Northern Territory’s Minister for Renewables Gerard Maley said that the project will generate over AUD 400 million in local supply chain spending during construction and large-scale private investment in generation and energy storage.
The government opened this consultation on November 13, 2024. It will accept feedback from local residents, community, businesses and key stakeholders till February 28, 2025.
This feedback will enable the final project design and final investment decision on Darwin REH.
Darwin in the Northern Territory will also be home to the world’s largest planned solar and storage project, the Australia-Asia Power Link with up to 20 GW solar and 42 GWh BESS capacity. This SunCable project secured environmental clearance from the federal government in August this year (see Environmental Clearance For World’s Largest Planned Solar & Storage Project).