The tiny outback community of Marlinja has taken its first steps towards its goal of becoming a leader in remote renewable energy generation with the launch of a solar-powered community centre this week.

The Marlinja Community Centre is a partnership between the Marlinja community and Original Power’s Clean Energy Communities Project which is working to empower Indigenous communities to take the lead on the remote renewables revolution through incubation of community-owned solar projects across the Northern Territory.

Marlinja is one of many Territory remote communities experiencing extreme energy poverty, with lengthy power outages due to system faults and regular household disconnection due to unaffordable energy costs.

With wet season temperatures in the mid-40s and overcrowded, poorly designed houses, the inability to afford electricity for essential appliances has been an ongoing concern for residents.

The solar-powered community centre will be a hub for kids, family and cultural activities and a reprieve from frequent blackouts affecting local households.

But it’s just the first step in a much larger plan for the community to go 100 per cent renewable and generate its own electricity from solar power with battery storage.

The plan aims to cut power costs for residents and reduce reliance on polluting diesel and gas-fired electricity generation.

“Solar powering the Territory’s remote communities makes so much sense, and community-ownership models like that being advanced at Marlinja are the best way to ensure that the benefits of cheaper, cleaner energy are delivered directly back to local families and businesses,” said Original Power Executive Director Karrina Nolan.

Leading up to and throughout the week-long build community members are engaged in project planning, installation of rooftop solar panels, and training in electrical technology and carpentry skills. Marlinja school students will also take part in a Solar Schools Day to learn more about how solar power works for the community and a launch event for the new solar-powered community centre tonight will feature a solar light disco and local bands.

Raymond Dixon, a Mudburra community leader who has helped guide the project to completion said of the community’s ambitions:

“For years now our region has featured in the development plans of big companies, whether it be gas fracking, mining and more recently even big solar farms. But these projects offer next to no local benefit, and plenty of risk to our land, water and cultural heritage,” he said.

“We see community-owned solar power as a way to meet the needs of local families and businesses, keeping power and any profit in local hands so we can reinvest that into our future and start making positive changes in our people’s lives.

“We’d like to see more support from the Northern Territory government to help our communities go all the way with solar power. Not only will it help locals but we’re helping the government meet its economic recovery plans, their Renewable Energy Target and Climate Action plans too so its really a win-win for the whole Territory and our shared future.”

The opening of the new solar-powered Marlinja Community Centre will be undertaken by Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin at an official opening and welcome ceremony tonight at 6pm.

This article appeared in the Tennant & District Times, 7 May 2021.