King Island’s transition from dependence on diesel to a renewable energy future has taken another step forward with the opening of a 1.5MW solar farm.
Owned and operated by Hydro Tasmania, the 5000-panel solar farm on the picturesque Bass Strait island, between Tasmania and Victoria, spans six hectares and cost $3.35 million to build.
“During the past 10 years, we’ve slashed diesel consumption on King Island by 50 per cent [through renewables projects],” says Hydro Tasmania CEO Ian Brooksbank. “That saves 2.1 million litres of diesel and cuts carbon emissions by 5700 tonnes a year.
“The solar farm will save an additional 300,000 litres in diesel and 800 tonnes in carbon emissions annually, delivering greater reliability in electricity supply for local homes and businesses.”
The first wind farm was installed on King Island 25 years ago, and subsequent expansions and technology advances have made the island an Australian innovator in hybrid renewable energy systems.
“King Island has become a renewable energy blueprint for isolated off-grid communities in Australia and around the world, and it continues to lead the way,” says Brooksbank.
“This type of hybrid, renewable energy system is a model for the national electricity market. How we integrate wind, solar and storage, while reducing fossil fuels and maintaining grid stability, is an important lesson as the nation transitions to renewable energy.”
Hydro Tasmania aims to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across its organisation by 2025.