Community Hydrogen Microgrid finally it's pen to paper
It's Signed
"It's been signed off on, it's a done deal! all agreed to, a binding contract, signed sealed and on its way to being delivered, how many other ways can I say it”.
The Member for Leichardt Warren Entsch told Newsport last night that this was an historic moment in time. Mr Entsch put his retirement on hold and is facing another election to see this Community Microgrid become official.
We were gathered at the Heritage Lodge Resort at Diwan last night for the signing of contracts and final information session for this enormous project that will bring power and high-speed internet to the Daintree community.
A very happy Mr Entsch will have to wait two years to see that happen but the ink is now dry on the contract between the Federal Government and Volt Advisory Group, who are charged with bringing this home.
The Federal Government has handed the Volt Advisory Group $18.75 million over three years to develop a renewable energy microgrid for the Daintree region.
The project will commence this year and the microgrid is due to begin operations by 2024. The first stage of the project will cover the area north of the Alexandra Range to Cape Tribulation.
Fifty locals turned up last night to hear the final pitch and hear myths busted. An excited and animated Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson cut the imaginary ribbon to herald in a new era.
Every Douglas Shire Councillor including Mayor Michael Kerr and new CEO Rachel Brophy were there to witness history being created.
Jabalbina's Andrew John on behalf of Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, carried out a smoking ceremony to ward off bad spirits and there are a few of those around the region.
Warren Entsch says "these naysayers spread falsehoods and there are others who simply don't want people to live or run businesses in the Daintree".
But all of that negative thinking was drowned out last night by the positive energy of so many in the community north of the river who have been waiting decades to have electricity instead of running polluting generators and paying skyrocketing diesel prices. Having it by clean and green methods is a bonus.
The renewable energy microgrid will incorporate an 8 MW solar farm, 20 MWh of battery storage and a 1 MW clean hydrogen plant.
The project aims to avoid disturbance in the area by deploying the microgrid along roadways and on previously cleared land.
“The talking is over and now it's on with the job” says Mr Entsch.