In the remote Barkly region of Australia’s Northern Territory, about halfway between Alice Springs and Darwin, sits the small First Nations outstation of Marlinja. Home to roughly 60 people, the outback community recently celebrated the launch of what it says is the first First Nations-owned grid-connected solar microgrid in Australia.
The microgrid includes a 100 kW solar array and a 136 kWh battery and took five years to complete as community members and Original Power, the non-profit developer for the project, navigated the design, fundraising, installation and commissioning process.
Home to Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, Australia’s Northern Territory has a rich indigenous culture. But beyond the tourist areas, remote First Nations communities in the region are plagued by energy insecurity and high energy prices.
For many, electricity is provided via pre-paid meters. Like pay-as-you-go mobile phone plans, the consumer purchases the amount of electricity they expect to need for a given period of time. Once the credit runs out, the meter shuts off power to the home.