- Cook Government drive to decarbonise Pilbara
delivers landmark collaboration
- Perdaman and Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation agree
to pursue solar project on Ngarluma Country
- Green Energy Park partnership to deliver 50-megawatt
solar farm
- Solar farm will connect to Pilbara Energy
Transition's Burrup (Murujuga) Corridor
The Cook Government's
drive to decarbonise the Pilbara through its Pilbara Energy Transition Plan has
brought together Traditional Owners and a major proponent in a landmark
renewable energy partnership.
Ngarluma
Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) today announced it is collaborating with Perdaman and the State Government to establish a 50-megawatt
solar farm at the Ngarluma Green Energy Park on NAC's native title
determination south of Karratha.
The collaboration is the
first project for Ngarluma's Green Energy Parks, a 100 per cent Traditional
Owner-owned and operated business for fast and straight forward development of
large-scale renewable projects.
The Cook Government will
provide $2.7 million in initial support to NAC to undertake surveys, approvals
works, and technical activities over the next 12 months that will lead to the
activation of the first Ngarluma Green Energy Park.
The NAC-owned Green
Energy Park will create employment, training, and long-term income for the
Ngarluma people.
The 50-megawatt solar
farm will feed into the common-use Maitland-Karratha-Burrup transmission
corridor and aid the activation of the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area.
NAC, Perdaman, and the
State are motivated to see the Green Energy Park activated through the
connection of the solar farm to Perdaman's Project Ceres Urea Plant by mid-end
of 2027 and have agreed to negotiate productively to agree terms by the end of
2026.
The Burrup (Murujuga) Corridor
is one of four priority corridors under the Cook Government's Pilbara Energy
Transition Plan to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy industry in the
region by connecting industry with renewable energy generation.
NAC is targeting 5
gigawatts of development in its Green Energy Parks.
Ngarluma Country includes
the coastal towns Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson, and out to Whim
Creek and is home of much of the Pilbara's industry including Rio Tinto Iron
Ore, Dampier Salt, Woodside, Yara, and Perdaman.
The Ngarluma Green Energy
Park plan includes obtaining tenure over the area and offering subleasing
arrangements to solar generation and battery storage proponents, with potential
for participation in solar/battery generation projects located in the parks
through joint ventures or other arrangements with solar developers.
Comments attributed to Energy and Decarbonisation and Pilbara Minister
Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Creating jobs through
our Pilbara Energy Transition Plan is a key part of the Cook Government's drive
to make Western Australia a renewable energy powerhouse.
"Supporting Ngarluma
Aboriginal Corporation and Perdaman in this landmark partnership is another
step in decarbonising the Pilbara and realising the considerable benefits of
the region's renewable energy resources."
Comments attributed to
Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation and Ngarluma Green Energy director Belinda
Churnside:
"Ngarluma people are
proud to be leaders in the development of the energy transition on our land. Ngarluma
Green Energy Parks will be a game changer for the fast and straight forward
development of large-scale renewable projects.
"It is 100 per cent owned
and operated by NAC for the benefit of Ngarluma people. We very much appreciate
the support and partnership we have with Perdaman and the State to help NAC
activate the first Green Energy Park as soon as 2027."
Comments attributed to
Perdaman Chair Vikas Rambal:
"I am proud to be working
hand in hand with the Ngarluma people to transform the Karratha region into a
global renewable energy hub and the export engine of Australia. We share this
vision and we can achieve it together."
Comments attributed to
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"Today is an important milestone
as we realise the ambition of Traditional Owners and major industry to help
decarbonise the Pilbara.
"With support from the
Cook Government, this collaboration will deliver real benefits for the region,
communities, and industry."
