Community batteries in Maloneys Beach, Leeton and Goulburn have officially switched on, with the three new storage solutions set to drive down power bills and boost local energy reliability.
The Federal Government said hundreds of homeowners in each of the New South Wales suburbs will receive direct cost-of-living relief, with around a $75 discount off their energy bills every year for five years.
The annual saving will be applied directly to retail bills and appear as a credit, similar to the Federal Government’s energy relief rebates.
Australia now has more than four million rooftop solar installations – a testament to the country’s incredible sunshine and unprecedented access to the cheapest and cleanest form of energy.
The Federal Government said its Community Batteries for Household Solar program is making the energy system fairer, by ensuring all Australians can reap even more rewards from this renewable resource, regardless of their solar or battery status.
Community batteries absorb excess rooftop solar during the day and feed it back to homes during peak times. They can also avoid or defer costly upgrades to the electricity network’s poles and wires, benefitting all consumers through reduced network tariffs.
Each of the three Essential Energy batteries can produce 192kW of power and store 530kWh of energy.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said, “We’re bringing cleaner, cheaper and more reliable renewable energy to communities right across Australia, including Maloneys Beach, Leeton and Goulburn.
“The rain doesn’t always fall, but we always have water on tap because we store it for when we need it – community batteries will do the same thing with reliable and affordable renewable energy.
“The Federal Government is delivering immediate cost of living relief and building an energy grid for the future, which is why we have brought online new, affordable electricity equivalent to more than three Snowy Hydro schemes.”
Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain, said every cent counts, which is why this community battery is great news for hundreds of households in Goulburn.
“It will save them money on their power bills and also improve their energy efficiency.
“Discounts from this battery will build on the Energy Bill Relief we’ve already delivered to households and small businesses in Goulburn, as part of our commitment to easing cost of living pressures.”
Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, said, “Maloneys Beach Residents Association wanted a community battery for the community, I’m pleased that’s what I’ve delivered.
“It will help reduce power bills, providing that bit of relief. Importantly it will also help store clean renewable energy from the sun for when it’s needed most.”
