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The Australian government has flicked the switch on Defence’s largest solar farm, powering up the 10-megawatt site made of more than 27,000 solar panels.
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Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite attended the opening in Darwin during NT Defence Week and officially cut the ribbon at the site on 7 May.
The solar farm is expected to supply up to 40 per cent of the energy needs of Robertson Barracks in Darwin, as Defence transitions to cleaner energy and stronger energy resilience.
Minister Thistlethwaite said the completed project makes Defence facilities more self-reliant and allows the wider benefit with excess solar power from the project to be fed into the Darwin grid, supplying cheap, renewable energy to households and businesses.
“Defence is playing its role in accelerating the transition to clean energy, increasing resilience and reducing emissions across Defence bases,” he said.
“The Robertson Barracks solar farm shows how Defence is partnering with industry to deliver renewable energy, improving energy security, and reducing emissions across the Defence estate.
“The Defence estate plays a critical role in supporting ADF operational readiness and having a safe and maintained estate is integral to capability and supporting ADF members who live, work, and train on base.”
The project involves a power purchase agreement, generating savings on electricity costs and accelerating the transition to clean energy; in addition, the project created employment in Darwin and opportunities for local trades as part of the $64 million Defence Renewable Energy and Energy Security Program.
The delivery of Defence’s second solar project in the Northern Territory follows the launch of a 3.2-megawatt solar farm at RAAF Base Darwin in January this year.
The investment at Robertson Barracks follows the $24 million announced earlier this year for critical infrastructure upgrades to Robertson Barracks and Howard Springs South.
The federal government also announced enhancements of defence infrastructure and capabilities in the NT on 8 May.
Territorians are key beneficiaries of a 2024 Integrated Investment Program and allocated $14–$18 billion over the next decade to bolster Australia’s northern bases and contribute to enhanced collective security of the Indo-Pacific.
The government’s investment plan will accelerate upgrades to RAAF Base Tindal, including airfield improvements to enable enhanced air refuelling operations by KC‑30A multi-role tanker transport aircraft.
New littoral manoeuvre facilities will also be developed in Northern Australia, along with the redevelopment of the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct in Darwin, including facilities upgrades and new berthing capabilities to accommodate major surface combatants and submarines at HMAS Coonawarra.
Additional funding will deliver more live-in accommodation at Robertson Barracks to support the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin as well as upgrades to a range of base services. Other air base upgrade projects to receive increased funding include major maintenance at RAAF Base Darwin and Mount Bundey Airfield.
Federal Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said projects in the NT will deliver employment opportunities for locals over the coming years, build on the NT’s defence industry and provide a key income stream for supply chain providers.
“The Albanese government is boosting spending on defence to deliver a generational uplift in the capabilities the ADF needs to make Australians safer and to protect our national interests,” he said.
“Investment in our northern bases is a priority for the Albanese government and critical to an integrated, focused force and boosting Australia’s force posture readiness as outlined in the IIP and National Defence Strategy.
“The IIP includes investments of $14–$18 billion to ensure Defence has a logistically connected and resilient set of bases, ports and barracks across Australia’s north, building on the capabilities of the Darwin region as a key component in the national maritime sustainment network.
“This is good for jobs, good for the Territory, and good for Australia’s peace and security.”
The NT was highlighted as a critical component of Australia’s defence architecture as confirmed in the Integrated Investment Program (IIP), which set out specific defence capabilities the government will invest in to give effect to the 2024 National Defence Strategy.
This includes development and investment in the Defence estate in northern Australia which will strengthen Australia’s force posture readiness and deliver a more integrated, focused force.
