Carnarvon selected as location for renewable energy project thanks to abundance of solar and wind energy

Carnarvon is the designated location for a renewable energy project, harnessing the abundant solar and wind power in the region to convert into green hydrogen. Province Resources’ HyEnergy project has been discussing the use of pastoral land in the area with the Carnarvon Shire for almost three years. “It’s wonderful that it’s located in the Gascoyne,” Shire president Eddie Smith said. “Carnarvon has been recognised worldwide for having some of the most consistent sun and wind and we do have a lot of land available to put this on the ground.” The project will utilise existing resources, including the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline, a natural gas pipeline which helps pump natural gas to the South West of the State, as well as the North West Highway. Existing support for green hydrogen is listed by Province Resources as one of the incentives to situate the plant in Carnarvon, as well as having good access to Asian markets. “We’re probably about two to three years away from seeing any real earth moved and anything being constructed, but it’s already bringing benefits in,” Cr Smith said. Surveyors and environmental assessments are being carried out on pastoral land at the moment, with staff being sent to conduct the preliminary studies on the land. “Accomodation is being booked, people are coming into the town to survey — there’s already positives from this and we’re only going to see more,” Cr Smith said. Cr Smith said baby steps needed to be taken in order to get to the next landmark stages. “Proofing up what is required, then working on permanent land tenure, funding and then hopefully we can start getting some solar panels in,” he said. The first stage of the project will see the site north of Carnarvon townsite used for the downstream processing facility, port facility, light industrial area, and renewable solar and wind energy facilities. It will also feature the temporary workforce accommodation and associated infrastructure. Stage two welcomes the expansion of wind and solar facilities, moving into the eastern and southern regions of Carnarvon. The HyEnergy Project aligns with national decarbonisation goals, aiming to bring net carbon emissions down to 43 per cent by 2030.