Micro grids pilot fund to promote ‘energy sovereignty’ in remote Queensland communities

Exclusive: The Queensland government will announce a $10m pilot fund to develop ‘micro grids’ in Aboriginal and storm-prone communities

The Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni de Brenni says the $10m ‘micro grids’ fund will help communities attract investment in renewable energy. Photograph: Russell Freeman/AAP

A $10m fund to help remote communities build micro electricity grids is an important step toward self-determination, the mayor of an Indigenous shire council has said.

Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni will announce the pilot fund on Thursday to support developments in First Nations communities and those prone to tropical storms.

He said the project aimed to help build energy resilience and reduce power bills, while also helping to decarbonise the state.

“Queensland’s grid is one of the largest in the world and some of these communities at the fringes – many of which are First Nations communities – are heavily reliant on infrastructure that is vulnerable to severe weather,” de Brenni told Guardian Australia.

A $10m fund to help remote communities build micro electricity grids is an important step toward self-determination, the mayor of an Indigenous shire council has said.

Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni will announce the pilot fund on Thursday to support developments in First Nations communities and those prone to tropical storms.

He said the project aimed to help build energy resilience and reduce power bills, while also helping to decarbonise the state.

“Queensland’s grid is one of the largest in the world and some of these communities at the fringes – many of which are First Nations communities – are heavily reliant on infrastructure that is vulnerable to severe weather,” de Brenni told Guardian Australia.