Noosaville and Caloundra will receive community batteries to help lower household electricity bills and reduce emissions following the first round of the Community Batteries for Household Solar Program.
Regional Development Assistant Minister Anthony Chisholm said the program was a prime example of the Australian Government’s commitment to ensuring all Australians have access to affordable, reliable and clean energy.
“This program aims to deliver more affordable power to Sunshine Coast residents, enabling more households to store solar energy for later use and contributing to lowering our emissions.“
Senator Chisholm added that while the environmental benefits were clear, the community batteries also assist with putting downward pressure on household electricity costs by storing cheap solar energy for use at peak times.
“Community batteries are an efficient way of storing electricity generated during the day for later use. It also reduces pressure on the grid by allowing solar energy to be shared with households that are unable to install rooftop solar.”
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the grant funding delivered on the government’s election commitment to deliver community batteries for cleaner cheaper energy in neighbourhoods across the country.
“Around one in three Australian households have installed rooftop solar, making us a global leader, but far fewer have batteries to store their energy for later use. The Albanese Government’s Community Batteries program is about unlocking storage and cleaner cheaper energy for more households.”
“Renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy and ensuring Australians can have access to it is a priority for the Government, guaranteeing we can take advantage of Australia’s abundant solar energy and save on power bills,” Mr Bowen said.
The Albanese Labor Government is investing $200 million in 400 community batteries across the country through the Community Batteries for Household Solar program.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will work with the Business Grants Hub to deliver the remaining batteries over the coming months.
The 180kWh capacity battery in Caloundra and the 360kWh capacity battery in Noosaville will be operational by March 2025.
For more information on the Community Batteries Program visit dcceew.gov.au/energy/renewable/community-batteries
