A remote Western Australia First Nations community with its sights set on reducing diesel dependence and energy insecurity has had a solar and 3.25 MW battery energy storage project approved for development.
Image: Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation
A proposed 100% First Nations-owned solar battery power station in Western Australia, the Aalga Goorlil ‘Sun Turtle‘ Djarindjin Community Power Project (DCPP), has been granted planning approval by the WA Regional Development Assessment Panel (RDAP).
To be located on the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley region, 170 kilometres north of Broome, 2,400 kilometres north of Perth, and 1,600 km southwest of Darwin, the $12 million (UDS 8.6 million) Aalga Goorlil ‘Sun Turtle’ DCPP will meet 80% of the Djarindjin and Lombadina communities’ needs.

Aalga Goorlil means sun turtle, and the project will feature 3,408 solar panels installed in the shape of the Djarindjin community’s official symbol, co-located with a 3.25 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) and connecting to the Djarindjin Lombadina microgrid.
Over 25 years, the project will reduce carbon emissions by more than 46,000 tonnes.
The remaining 20% of energy will be sourced from an upgraded diesel generator run by state owned gentailer Horizon Power.
The aim of the project however is to significantly reduce local dependence on non-renewable energy sources, lower energy costs, and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
Djarindin Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Officer Nathan McIvor said ownership of everything is key.
“The time has passed where communities rely on a broken system, and we out at Djarindjin don’t believe the system works for us,” McIvor said.
A statement released by the First Nations Clean Energy Network (FNCEN) said the RDAP agreed ” … the essential infrastructure development supports community self-sufficiency, and broader benefits including training and employment.”
Revenues from the project will support DAC to grow local employment and training and deliver and subsidise critical services.
McIvor said the Aalga Goorlil ‘Sun Turtle’ project will support the economic independence of the community, the diversification of its revenue streams, and the building of capacity within the community and across the Dampier Peninsula to build, operate and maintain critical infrastructure, and is an example of self-determination at work.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
More articles from Ev Foley
Please be mindful of our community standards.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.


Δ
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.
By subscribing to our newsletter you’ll be eligible for a 10% discount on magazine subscriptions!
Δ
Legal Notice Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy © pv magazine 2026
pv magazine Australia offers bi-weekly updates of the latest photovoltaics news.
We also offer comprehensive global coverage of the most important solar markets worldwide. Select one or more editions for targeted, up to date information delivered straight to your inbox.
Δ
This website uses cookies to anonymously count visitor numbers. To find out more, please see our Data Protection Policy. ×
The cookie settings on this website are set to “allow cookies” to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click “Accept” below then you are consenting to this.
Close

source