Energy Security on remote Aboriginal communities during the COVID-19 crisis

Abstract

Many Indigenous organisations in northern Australia have taken the precaution of sending vulnerable community members back to remote homelands in an effort to physically isolate residents from COVID-19. After many years in which the focus of investment and government policy has moved toward larger communities and towns, the physical and organisational infrastructure supporting smaller remote communities will likely be tried in new ways as cross-cutting issues add complexity and cost to the challenge of remaining healthy on community. In this context renewable energy (such as solar photovoltaics), requiring few inputs, can effectively remove risk in communities and ensure access to reliable, affordable and culturally appropriate energy services.