Managing director Stephen Phillips said last week the contracts involved two projects in the Northern Territory worth an estimated $3.7 million and which would be completed over the next 8 months.
The contract with the Northern Territory Power and Water Authority involves the design and installation of two solar photovoltaic energy supply systems in remote areas including one of Australia's most popular outback tourist attractions, Kings Canyon.
The total renewable energy capacity at the two sites will be 280 kilowatts. AES said proprietary technology currently being developed in the US would be used and a control system would also be developed. It said the project will provide substantial fuel and maintenance savings to the client.
"At present, power is being supplied by labour-intensive and high-maintenance diesel generators. Without our renewable energy systems, the costs of electricity will continue to escalate in the future as fuel and maintenance costs increase," said Phillips.
Phillips said the project provided impetus for AES to develop a sound profitable operation in the Australian remote area power sector.
