Indigenous Impact Weekly
Celebrating Leaders and Changemakers
A Conversation with Krystal: Delivering Power and Community Impact in Remote WA
In a recent conversation with Krystal Skinner, the Executive General Manager of Horizon Power’s Remote Communities division, we explored the incredible work Western Australia’s regional energy provider is doing in some of the most remote parts of WA. Krystal shared insights into the challenges, successes, and the rewarding experiences of working in this space.
An Introduction to Krystal and Horizon Power’s Role
Krystal oversees Horizon Power’s Remote Communities division, which is responsible for providing reliable electricity to 117 remote communities in Western Australia. These communities were transferred to Horizon Power from the Department of Communities on July 1, 2023.
“It’s a significant responsibility to ensure that all the communities we service across the state receive the same level of reliable power service,” Krystal explained. “Our task is to achieve this in a safe and sustainable manner, supporting the WA State Government’s commitment to closing the gap by 2030, particularly through the delivery of outcome nine B, which focuses on essential service delivery.”
Improving Quality of Life in Remote Communities
Over the past 18 months, Horizon Power has made substantial strides in improving the safety and reliability of power supplies in remote communities. One of the most notable achievements is the PVC Cable and Twisty Program, which has upgraded electrical wiring in these areas.
“We also recently upgraded renewable energy assets in both Chile Creek and Cockatoo Springs,” Krystal added. “In Chile Creek, Horizon Power has completed extensive upgrades to the central generation solution, replacing a damaged battery with a new containerised battery system, upgraded solar PV panels, and an improved back-up diesel generator. This not only provides the community with a more reliable power source but also reduces emissions, with the new system running on renewable energy between 40-60% of the time.”
Furthermore, Chile Creek residents have gained access to advanced meters that allow them to track their energy consumption, introducing a “user-pay” approach for residents. This change has also opened up access to concessions and rebates that weren’t accessible before, with the ability for residents to track and monitor their energy usage and purchase additional credits at any time, improving the overall customer experience.
Community-Led Approach to Service Delivery
Krystal emphasised that Horizon Power’s approach is deeply rooted in community engagement. “We’ve made it a priority to take a community-led approach,” she said.
“So far we been able to spend time on country in approximately 80 of the 117 communities, learning about their concerns and desires, and co-designing solutions with them.”
Krystal’s team is staffed by Aboriginal employees who possess high cultural literacy, helping to build trust and work collaboratively with communities. “Cultural awareness is really important in understanding the unique needs of each community,” she said. “We’re not just imposing solutions; we’re working alongside the communities to develop solutions that are tailored to their needs.”
Overcoming Challenges in Remote Communities
While Horizon Power has achieved a lot in a short time, challenges persist, particularly due to the remoteness of many communities. Krystal highlighted the logistical challenges involved in responding to outages and servicing remote communities.
“Some of the locations we serve are in the far reaches of the Pilbara and the Kimberley and Ngaanyatjarra Lands,” she explained. “When there’s a power outage, it can take a long time to restore power because of the difficulty in mobilising to these areas. That’s a challenge unique to remote WA and other parts of Australia.”
In addition, the challenge of accessing amenities and resources in these areas adds another layer of complexity. Krystal emphasised the importance of collaboration with other service delivery agencies, such as the Water Corporation and health services, to ensure the community’s needs are met holistically.
Leveraging Innovation and Technology
The use of innovative technologies is a key opportunity Horizon Power is keen to explore to address the challenges of remote power delivery. As Krystal explained, renewable technologies have the potential to support improved power reliability. For example, during the wet season of 2024-2025, 79 out of the 117 communities experienced road access issues that impacted the ability to deliver services. In such cases, renewable energy technologies provide greater redundancy and reliability by reducing the reliance on diesel fuel.
“We also see the benefits of digital tools,” Krystal noted. “When there’s good communications infrastructure in place it provides an essential mechanism for two-way communication. Technology can also help us monitor the network remotely, which is crucial for improving restoration times and problem-solving.”
What Inspired Krystal to Work in the Energy Sector?
When asked about her inspiration to work in the energy sector, particularly in remote communities, Krystal shared that her path into energy was somewhat unconventional. “I came into the industry with a background in journalism and marketing,” she said. “I’ve always approached things from a customer perspective. Energy is essential, and it affects everyone, so it’s rewarding to work on solutions that truly benefit communities.”
Krystal continued, “The most rewarding part of my career has been leading the Remote Communities division at Horizon Power. It’s been an incredible privilege to work with Aboriginal communities and experience some of the most unique and remote parts of the state. The shared commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people is something I’m deeply passionate about.”
Learning from Communities and Building Partnerships
Krystal reflected on the invaluable lessons she’s learned working with remote communities. “The biggest takeaway for me is that the more I work in this space, the more I realise how much I still have to learn,” she shared. “It’s such a deep and complex space, and I’m constantly learning from the communities I serve.”
For Krystal, the heart of the work lies in building relationships. “It’s all about respect,” she explained. “When you meet people on their country, understand their stories and their songlines, you form a bond that you can’t replicate in an office setting. This partnership is crucial to achieving meaningful outcomes.”
Krystal’s journey at Horizon Power and her work with remote communities highlights the profound impact that innovation, cultural awareness, and collaboration can have on improving quality of life in some of the most isolated parts of Australia.
While there are still challenges to overcome, the work being done by Horizon Power’s Remote Communities division is paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future for these communities.
As Krystal put it, “It’s all about doing the work with the community, for the community. And we’re really proud of what we’re achieving.”
Horizon Power – About Us
Horizon Power is Western Australia’s regional and remote energy provider, committed to delivering safe and reliable power to our customers. Our purpose is to deliver clean energy solutions for regional growth and vibrant communities.
We operate across the full energy supply chain with generation, transmission, distribution and retail services, delivering power to approximately 47,000 customer accounts.
Our service area is the largest geographical catchment of any Australian power provider, spanning 2.3 million square kilometres.
We operate multiple power systems tailored to meet the unique needs of some of the most isolated and remote communities in the world. This includes the North West Interconnected System (NWIS) in the Pilbara; a connected network covering three interconnected systems in Kununurra, Wyndham and Lake Argyle; more than 30 microgrids; and standalone power systems that sustainably service end-of-grid customers.
Horizon Power is also responsible for the delivery of power to 170 remote or town-based communities.