Irrigators in St George may benefit from more secure, affordable and reliable energy with a $654,807 Federal Government investment to support feasibility studies into microgrids, Maranoa MP David Littleproud said.
“Feasibility studies are the first step to unlocking investment in microgrids, and their benefits for farmers on the Granite Belt,” Mr Littleproud said.
This $654,807 investment has been awarded to the Queensland Farmers’ Federation to undertake the feasibility study with the aim to increasing the uptake of on-farm solar energy and cut irrigation costs.
“We need to be looking at options that will help lower cost of living pressures on families and businesses in the Bush.
“Microgrids can help reduce electricity bills for regional and remote communities but can also deliver benefits for the grid as a whole by saving hundreds of millions of dollars in network costs.”
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the grants are an essential step towards unlocking investment in microgrids and strengthening energy reliability and affordability in the regions.
“Microgrid technology is becoming increasingly cost effective, creating the opportunity for a reliable, low cost, off-grid supply to our regional communities and industries.”
Stanthorpe irrigators will also take part in the feasibility study.
Under Round One of the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund, funding for a second project will be delivered in Maranoa.
Ergon Energy has been awarded $408,954 to assess opportunities to enable communities in Birdsville and Windorah to reduce their dependence on diesel generation.
