Grant recipients for the next round of the Next Generation Energy Storage program have been announced, boosting the renewable energy industry in the ACT.
After receiving a range of proposals from local and national businesses, four companies – ActewAGL Retail, Evergen, Solahart and Solarhub – have received grants to support the roll-out of solar battery storage in up to 5000 Canberra homes and businesses, as part of the fourth round of the Next Generation Energy Storage program.
Homes and businesses that install a battery under the program connected to a new or existing solar system will receive support of up to $825 for each kilowatt of sustained peak output, or around $4000 off an average household system.
Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, is pleased with the steps the ACT Government is taking.
“The ACT are proud climate leaders. We’re putting the climate first and realising real climate action, here and now, to protect our planet for future generations,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“In Canberra we now have over five megawatts of ‘smart’ battery storage supported under the program. This equates to just over 1200 batteries sold across the ACT, which can be used to support the electricity grid and help reduce Canberra’s vulnerability to peak energy demand shocks.
“The installation of battery-storage in homes across the Territory will form an important part of the transition towards 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2020, and net zero emissions by 2045 at the latest.
“The battery storage roll-out is also building Canberra’s reputation as a globally-recognised hub for battery storage innovation. Detailed data is being collected from all batteries installed under the program, which will inform further research and industry development.”
This latest funding announcement comes as the Next Generation Energy Storage program itself has been nominated for a prestigious national prize – the ‘Renewable Energy Achievement’ in the ‘Cities Power Partnership’ program.
The Cities Power Partnership is Australia’s largest local government climate network, made up of over 100 councils from across the country, representing almost 11 million Australians.
The program was selected from a competitive field of entries from councils across Australia for the national awards, which recognise outstanding achievement by local governments in the fields of renewable energy, sustainable transport, energy efficiency, community engagement and climate advocacy.
David Craven, Director of the Cities Power Partnership, congratulated the ACT Government for making the final shortlist for the awards, saying that the range and quality of entries showed the extent to which local governments are becoming a vital part of Australia’s climate solution.
“Local champions such as the ACT are stepping up to the climate challenge in the face of continuing Federal climate inaction. It’s time to celebrate these unsung climate heroes in local government, who are helping their communities to drive down local greenhouse gas pollution.”
