Six large-scale solar farms in the Northern Territory (NT) capable of generating 180-210 MW of renewable energy and a battery energy storage system (BESS) built next to existing transmission infrastructure are included in plans for a proposed Darwin Renewable Energy Hub (REH).
The farms would also be adjacent to each other on 940 hectares of Crown Land located four kilometres north of Berry Springs, and covering an area of approximately 500 hectares.
All electricity produced in the REH would be fed directly into the Darwin-Katherine grid, which supplies Darwin and surrounding areas, and is currently powered mostly from the gas powered Channel Island Power Station, south of Darwin, which is scheduled to close in 2026/27.
Image: Northern Territory Department of Mining and Energy
NT Minister for Renewables Gerard Maley said the Darwin REH will enable enhanced energy security and grid resilience.
“A key priority of the government is economic development through jobs creation and this project represents a considerable injection into the Territory economy. It is expected to generate over $400 million in local supply chain spending during construction and large-scale private investment in generation and energy storage,” Maley said.
A comprehensive site selection process was undertaken to identify the most suitable location for industry under the Darwin Regional Land Use Plan, while a consultation for local residents is underway to inform the project’s final design, closing 28 February 2025.
Subject to a final investment decision on the project, the project is expected to be built between 2025 to 2030.
The NT government’s Darwin-Katherine Electricity System Plan 2024 found abundant low-cost solar in the region allows for aging thermal generators to be replaced, and about 40% of its renewable energy target – of 50% by 2030 – can be met directly by solar and 10% by BESS.
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