Powering Remote Healthcare Housing with Solar and Battery Solutions
- ClientPuntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS)
- Date2025
- Industry SectorsHealthcare / Community Services
- LocationNewman, WA
Solar and Battery Upgrade for PAMS Staff Accommodation
Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service delivering culturally appropriate, comprehensive primary healthcare across the East Pilbara. It serves the remote communities of Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji and Newman.
To support its medical workforce, PAMS maintains a portfolio of residential properties in Newman, where rising energy costs had become a significant operational burden. PAMS engaged Magellan Power to design and deliver a tailored solar and battery storage solution across these properties, reducing electricity costs with systems built for the demands of remote WA.
Solutions
Magellan Power delivered a tailored rollout of solar and battery storage systems across all 14 houses and the apartment building, with configurations selected matched to the energy demands of each site:
- 6.6kW solar with 10kWh battery storage (lower-demand residences)
- 10kW solar with 25kWh battery storage (higher-demand residences)
- 30kW solar with 50kWh battery storage (apartment building)
The apartment building presented a unique installation challenge. With no suitable indoor space, Magellan Power engineered a custom all-in-one outdoor enclosure. The system was climate-controlled and designed to withstand the extreme heat of the East Pilbara, ensuring reliable performance for the 30kW array
The project also marked the first field deployment of Magellan Power’s KARRI home energy storage system. Installed at a site without space for a conventional battery setup, KARRI provided a safe, compact alternative where traditional systems could not be deployed.
Client Requirement
PAMS operates 14 individual houses and a 9-unit apartment building in Newman to accommodate medical staff supporting healthcare across the region.
Energy consumption across these properties was a major operational cost, with usage approximately three times that of a typical Perth metro household. PAMS needed a practical solution to reduce electricity costs without compromising the infrastructure their staff rely on.
In one of Australia’s most sun-rich regions, solar and battery storage presented a clear and effective solution.
RESULTS:
The project delivered meaningful reductions in electricity costs across PAMS’s Newman property portfolio, lowering long-term operational expenditure for critical staff accommodation.
Each system was designed to maximise solar utilisation and minimise grid dependence, with all assets supported for life by Magellan Power’s local service team.
The project demonstrates how Magellan Power supports regional and remote communities with tailored energy solutions that reduce costs and improve reliability – where dependable, affordable power is essential.
