Business bulletin: 14 October 2021

The Northern Territory’s transition to renewables has taken another important step forward with the launch of the Darwin-Katherine electricity system plan.

The Darwin-Katherine electricity system is the Territory’s largest, delivering electricity to 150,000 Territorians.

The system plan is a strategic overarching document that provides guidance on the path to achieve the 50% renewable energy target in the Darwin-Katherine electricity system, recognising the critical coordination and leadership role of the Northern Territory Government in the local electricity industry.

The system plan aims to maximise opportunities for customers and external investors to drive the uptake of renewable energy technologies. Currently, around one in six customers have rooftop solar systems, allowing them to supply their own electricity needs and export any excess for use by others.

The system plan demonstrates that meeting the 50% target can decrease electricity system costs by about $30 million and greenhouse gas emissions by 350,000 tonnes per year by 2030, compared with business as usual.

To ensure that the electricity system’s security is maintained, the system plan calls for a staged approach.

1. Ready (2021 to 2023) - ensuring the infrastructure and systems are in place, including planning and constructing a renewable energy hub, operating the first security battery and connecting committed large-scale solar projects to the network
2. Set (2024 to 2026) - being ahead of the curve before the expected retirement of current thermal generator plants from 2027 onwards. This includes connecting initial solar farms to the renewable energy hub, operating a second security battery, and establishing virtual power plants which aggregate and coordinate small‑scale solar PV, batteries and electric vehicles, and
3. Go (2027 to 2030) - ramping up renewable energy and securing the system as existing thermal generation is decommissioned, including connecting more solar to renewable energy hubs, expanding large-scale battery storage, operating a third security battery and retiring thermal machines with smaller agile machines.

For more information and to read the system plan, go to the Territory Renewable Energy website.

The release of the Northern Territory renewable hydrogen master plan supports the development of a renewable hydrogen industry in the Territory.

The master plan focuses on renewable or green hydrogen, building on the renewable hydrogen strategy’s vision for the Territory to be a world-scale producer and exporter of renewable hydrogen.

The Territory is well placed to position itself at the forefront of the developing renewable hydrogen industry with large areas of land with high solar irradiance, close proximity to export markets, and an established world-scale energy production and export industry.

There are significant economic opportunities from a renewable hydrogen industry, with the potential to generate an extra 2,500 jobs and $3.5 billion for our economy.

Renewable hydrogen presents a significant opportunity for the Territory to simultaneously drive emissions reductions and economic growth by:

• extracting value from our Territory sunshine
• meeting growing global demand for clean, green energy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and
• diversifying our economy.

The master plan charts a pathway for the Territory Government to accelerate the development of a renewable hydrogen industry and outlines the enabling activities needed to secure private sector investment.

These activities are targeted at creating the right environment for Territory businesses to innovate and take advantage of the growing opportunities from renewable hydrogen.

To view the hydrogen master plan, go to the Territory Renewable Energy website.

Photo credit: Qantas

Direct flights from Darwin to London are set to take-off when international flights resume next month with the opening of Australia’s borders.

Qantas confirmed it will temporarily reroute its flights from Australia to London through Darwin after reaching an agreement with the Northern Territory Government and Darwin Airport last week.

The Sydney-Darwin-London route will begin on 14 November 2021 while the Melbourne-Darwin-London route is scheduled to begin on 18 December 2021.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said, the ‘Kangaroo’ route is one of the most iconic on the Qantas international network and we are delighted that Darwin will play a vital role in Australia’s post pandemic reopening to the world.

“Qantas has been flying repatriation services from London to Darwin as part of the airline’s efforts to help bring Australians home over the past 12 months, so our pilots already have extensive experience operating this particular route.”

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the convenience of this route will mean tapping into brand new markets for tourism and business.

“It will also open up new opportunities for developing the aviation skills sector here in the Northern Territory.”

The passenger transit arrangements will be split into two stages to reflect COVID-safe arrangements in the Territory. In stage one, transiting passengers from all Australian states, or returning from London, will be able to visit the international lounge and shops at Darwin Airport. Passengers travelling from London to Sydney and Melbourne via Darwin and wanting to travel onwards to other Australian cities may also be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.

In stage two, transiting passengers will have the option to leave the terminal and visit Darwin, providing a tourism boost for the city. Darwin based customers will also be able to book the direct flight meaning a convenient non-stop connection to London.

The direct flights are scheduled to start on 14 November 2021 and will run until at least April 2022. The Northern Territory Government will continue to work with Qantas around the possibilities of continuing the route into the future.

The Visitation Reliant Small Business Support Program and the Tourism Survival Fund have been extended to 31 October 2021.

These business support packages are designed to support tourism, hospitality and event businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

The Visitation Reliant Small Business Support Program is for small business, such as tourism and hospitality businesses, that have experienced mass cancellations due to interstate lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Under the co-funded program eligible employing businesses will receive a $3,000 payment while non-employing businesses, including sole traders will receive a $1,000 payment.

The Tourism Survival Fund is designed to support touring companies, professional conference organisers and exhibition build companies impacted by the lack of international visitors and who have not benefited from tourism vouchers.

Under the scheme, businesses will be able to access payments between $5,000 and $30,000 depending on their annual turnover which must be less than $10 million.

For further information and to apply, go to the Business Recovery website.

Territory businesses wanting to improve their performance and reach new markets can now access support through the Business Pivot Grant.

The Business Pivot Grant is part of a new suite of business support and training programs delivered by the Territory Government to help businesses recover, rebound and grow beyond COVID-19.

The grants support Territory businesses to reach new markets through improvements to their digital capabilities including e-commerce solution and the use of technology to improve visibility and profitability.

Eligible businesses can apply for a grant of up to $10,000 on a 50:50 co-contribution basis, with grants used to:

• purchase new digital equipment, technology or software
• engage a consultant to improve their digital capabilities
• make physical building renovations or improvements
• undertake future skilling.

Businesses that would like to provide a service under the Business Pivot Grant can register their interest on the Northern Territory Government website.

Businesses wanting to access funding and support under the Business Pivot Grant, can do so on the Northern Territory Government website.

Cybercriminals are targeting Australians at an unprecedented level.

Ransomware and data extortion attacks can be devastating to a business, by locking up your devices and files and shutting down your ability to operate.

Business email compromises can involve impersonated emails and fraudulent invoices to divert business payments to cybercriminals.

The Northern Territory (NT) Government, NT Police and Darwin Joint Cyber Security Centre Outreach Program are offering free information sessions to businesses in Darwin and Alice Springs in October.

Detective A/Senior Sergeant Craig Windebank of NT Police Cyber Crime is encouraging business owners to attend.

“Cybercrime remains an enduring threat to Northern Territory businesses. In the past 12 months reported instances of business email compromise have become increasingly common with NT Police currently responding to a report every 14 days with the average financial loss approaching $30,000.”

“Whether you run a mid-sized organisation or operate with just a laptop and email account, a cyber attack could affect you,” he said.

Information sessions will be held later this month.

• Darwin: Monday 25 October from 5pm- keynote speaker, Alastair MacGibbon, Chief Strategy Officer, CyberCX, former head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre and national expert on cybercrime and preventing cyberattacks, Alastair will outline the evolution of ransomware and cybercrime and how you can best manage cyber risk.
• Alice Springs: Wednesday 27 October from 3pm - Darwin Joint Cyber Security Centre and NT Police Cyber Crime will outline threat types and practical tips on how your business can be better prepared to protect against, respond to, and recover from a cyber incident.

Register to attend on the October Business Month website.

AgricultureNT is a new Facebook group that shares factual, relevant information with the Northern Territory’s agribusiness community.

The AgricultureNT Facebook group targets Territory agricultural producers and associated grower organisations. It will provide advice, promote research findings and share snippets from the Northern Territory Government’s Agriculture team working in the field.

AgricultureNT is a public group and anyone with an interest in the agribusiness is encouraged to join. Learn about current programs, research, and import and export stats.

Connect with the department’s Agriculture team and others in the industry.

Join the conversation today!