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NT Chief Minister visits Intyalheme
The Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy has provided the Northern Territory Chief Minister with an update on its progress.
The Hon Michael Gunner visited Alice Springs last week and spent considerable time at the Desert Knowledge Precinct, including receiving a detailed briefing from Intyalheme General Manager Glenn Marshall, and Project Officer Tristan Simons.
Intyalheme is a flagship project of Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA), established to facilitate the Territory’s target of 50% renewable energy by 2030.
“The Chief Minister confirmed his government’s vision for the NT as a major renewable energy supplier to Australian and overseas customers,” said Mr Marshall.
“There is strong support for the SunCable project, which is looking to supply 10GW of solar power into Singapore and supply green power to NT industries. This would transform the NT economy into a purveyor of clean energy products.”
For local grids, Mr Gunner emphasised the need to ‘future-proof’ electricity grids so they remain stable; as more solar power is installed by households, businesses and large solar farms.
Intyalheme briefed him on its important work, bringing together a consortium of energy industry stakeholders to identify and remove barriers to further renewable energy penetration in the Alice Springs power system. Lessons learnt in Alice Springs will be transferable to larger grids, including the Darwin-Katherine Interconnected System, or DKIS.
“The Chief Minister’s visit reflects the importance of renewable energy to the Territory’s future, and the importance of Intyalheme to make that vision a reality,” Mr Marshall said.
DKA CEO Dr Dan Tyson said Mr Gunner was very engaged, and his questions stimulated excellent conversations.
“Intyalheme is very important as an independent facilitator, bringing together energy players that are not used to working together,” Dr Tyson said.
“They must cooperate to solve complex problems facing electricity grids right now. Intyalheme is backing this task.”