Shire of Shark Bay approves 1.25MW solar farm to replace diesel generators at Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

The Shire of Shark Bay has approved RAC’s proposed solar farm near the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort to replace diesel generators and power the site. As part of the RAC 2030 vision of “a safer, sustainable and connected future for Western Australians”, it is seeking to establish a solar farm powering 90 per cent of the resort. The farm will comprise 10 rows of panels extending 320m x 125m and 2.5m high, with an area for ancillary infrastructure such as transformers and cabinets. The solar farm will be south of the resort on a 2.89ha piece of land near existing diesel generators, which will still be used during peak demand periods, in the event of an emergency, or for backup power. There is no reticulated power service to Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort because of its remote location. Shire of Shark Bay CEO Dale Chapman said the Shire had been working with RAC to get the proposal to a point where it could be voted on by the council. “They came to us three to five months ago and we’ve been working with them,” he said. “It’s a good idea to conserve fuel which is being used at the site.” Mr Chapman said the solar farm would be used exclusively to power the resort, which is owned by RAC, and the council was “clearly” in support of the idea. RAC external relations general manager Will Golsby said RAC began concept planning for the solar farm in 2020 and welcomed the council’s decision to approve the plans. “The 1.25MW solar farm will deliver 90 per cent of the electrical demand, save over 1.33 million kilograms of CO2 from being released into the environment per year, and significantly reduce diesel consumption,” he said. Mr Golsby said a tender process would begin for the solar farm’s design and construction after environmental approvals were acquired, and estimated the project would take nine months to complete. Councillors voted for the motion 6-0.