Remote homeland switches on to renewable energy
The Birany Birany homeland in the East Arnhem region, approximately 2 hours from Nhulunbuy, has welcomed a new solar Bushlight system which is delivering continuous, reliable power to 6 housing dwellings, replacing a diesel generator the community had previously relied on.
The new system has cut power costs, reduced environmental impact and brought a more sustainable energy solution to the community.
This project is part of a major investment through the Homelands Housing and Infrastructure Program (HHIP), which is delivering major power upgrades across homelands in Northern Territory (NT). The project was completed in collaboration with the Outback Power Program, which receives funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to deliver repairs and maintenance to select community-owned power systems. Find out about NT Wide Program.
In October 2022, the NT Government and Australian Government entered into a $100 million homeland grant agreement to roll out urgent repairs and infrastructure upgrades in remote homelands, across a 2-year period. Then, in 2024, both governments agreed to invest a further $120 million, across 3-years, to continue critical repairs, maintenance, and infrastructure projects under HHIP.
As part of this commitment, $2 million per year, from 2024 through to 2027, has been allocated to the NT Wide Program, which focuses on improving access to essential services such as water, power, and sanitation across NT homelands. By September 2025, 15 homelands will have received infrastructure upgrades through allocations to the 2024-2025 program.
The Homelands Services Provider for this homeland, Deltareef, continues to play a vital role in delivering housing, municipal and essential services in the community. To find more about the provider, go to the Deltareef website.
This latest upgrade is part of a broader push to ensure that homelands across the NT are not only maintained but improved, providing a stronger foundation for residents to live safely, healthily and with dignity.
