Upgrade of Doomadgee farm in north-west Queensland could generate enough energy to cover local needs, says Arena boss

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

A solar energy project in a remote Indigenous community is the latest recipient of commonwealth funds from an agency which is on the federal government’s hit list.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) will on Friday announce $4.6m for the expansion of the Doomadgee solar farm in north-west Queensland.

The upgrade has the potential to generate enough energy to cover local needs, Arena boss Ivor Frischknecht said.

“This ambitious project in the Gulf of Carpentaria will drastically reduce the Doomadgee community’s reliance on expensive diesel fuel and secure its future power production with renewable, reliable solar.”

The government announced in the budget its intention to save $1.3bn over five years by axing Arena, which was created to fund renewable projects and drive relevant research and investment.

But the Senate has twice rejected a Coalition attempt to repeal the legislation.