Renewables to run spy base

Geraldton’s often-mentioned but little-known “spy base” is now solar powered.

Member for Durack Melissa Price officially opened the $4 million solar array this morning at the Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station in Kojarena.

Ms Price said the new 1.2 megawatt solar photovoltaic facility not only reduced carbon emissions, but took pressure off the ageing power grid.

She said savings on power bills meant it would pay for itself within eight to nine years.

Balance Services Group was the main contractor and much of the work was subcontracted to Diab Engineering, who used their own local employees to construct the solar array.

The Communication Station itself is owned by Defence, and is operated by the Australian Signals Directorate.