Published on Monday, 1 December 2025 at 3:23:19 PM
A major renewable energy upgrade has been completed by the Shire of Denmark across three key community facilities, installing large-scale solar panels and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to reduce emissions and support our ‘Net Zero by 2050’ goal.
The upgrades cover the installation of solar panels and BESS on the Shire Administration Building, the Denmark Recreation Centre and the McLean Park Precinct and build on earlier energy efficiency improvements such as LED lighting and modern air conditioning systems.
The Shire also ensured that existing solar panels on the Administration Building were responsibly reused and offered for sale after their removal by the contractor, with many community members securing affordable panels for themselves.
Importantly, this investment in renewable energy is expected to deliver long-term savings on operational costs by reducing reliance on grid electricity and generating clean energy on-site, allowing the Shire to redirect more of its budget towards community services, infrastructure, and local initiatives.
Shire of Denmark Sustainable Projects Officer Laura Middleton said the project reflects Council’s commitment to both environmental sustainability and financial responsibility.
“These projects and upgrades, while not part of our core business, are essential to enable the shire to be financially efficient, and both a sustainable and resilient organisation,” Mrs Middleton said.
To make the system transparent and educational, the Shire has also launched a ‘Green Energy’ link on our homepage, located next to our Daily Fire Danger Rating icon, allowing residents to view live data on solar generation and battery performance at each site. When conditions are ideal, for example, community members will be able to see that our facilities, including the Shire Administration Building, can operate 100% off-grid.
This project complements the Shire’s earlier electric vehicle charging initiative, delivered in partnership with WALGA and funded through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under its Driving the Nation Program, which saw six 22kW AC chargers installed to support the Shire’s electric vehicle fleet.
Together, these projects reflect the Shire’s strong commitment to sustainability and fiscal responsibility, as outlined in the Our Future – 2035 Council Plan.
Back to All News