Horizon Power signs first Indigenous land use agreement for renewable energy development in Beagle Bay

Horizon Power, a Western Australian energy provider, has signed its first Indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) with the Nyul Nyul people of Beagle Bay in Kimberley. This agreement will facilitate the development of a future energy system tailored to the community’s needs, likely incorporating a combination of solar, battery storage, and diesel power to ensure a reliable energy supply.

The ILUA grants Horizon Power access to a four-hectare site near the township of Beagle Bay, adjacent to an existing power station. Horizon Power’s CEO, Stephanie Unwin, described the agreement as a significant milestone, emphasizing the company’s commitment to partnering with the Nyul Nyul people on their energy future and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

As part of the agreement, Horizon Power will also enhance community support by installing airstrip lighting and improving safety for essential services such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service. 

In July 2023, the WA government transferred the responsibility for power services to 117 remote Aboriginal communities, including Beagle Bay, from the Department of Communities to Horizon Power, reinforcing the company’s role in supporting Indigenous communities in their energy needs.