Residents in two towns in the Illawarra are set to save up to $400 each year on their energy bills, with Endeavour Energy powering up 13 new community batteries.
Built and owned by Endeavour Energy, the projects received funding from the Federal Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program.
The initiative aims to make the energy system fairer and ensuring all Australians can reap rewards from this renewable resource, regardless of their solar or home battery status.
It means all local residents – including both solar and non-solar customers, homeowners and renters – can sign up to the savings with Endeavour Energy’s retail partner. The network work estimates this could save households up to $400 a year.
Community batteries deliver lower energy costs and boost reliability by absorbing excess rooftop solar during the day and feeding it back to the grid at night. They can also avoid costly upgrades to the electricity network’s pole and wires.
In Dapto, a combination of eight ground and pole-mounted community batteries will lower power prices for 300 residents, while five ground and pole-mounted batteries in Warrawong will support another 300 households. Local residents will be able to apply to use the batteries through a retailer subscription.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said, “The Federal Government knows that Aussies are doing it tough, and these new Illawarra community batteries will go some way to help take the sting out of energy bills for locals every year.”
Federal Member for Whitlam, Stephen Jones, said the Illawarra has a long and proud industrial history, and the community battery in Dapto is another chapter in its local story.
“This investment represents our commitment to the Illawarra’s bright energy future.
“And at a time when cost of living pressures is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, the Federal Government is making a real difference for locals right now.”
Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, said the community batteries in Warrawong and Dapto will help lower household power bills and deliver much needed cost of living relief to people in the Illawarra.
“The way we power our homes and businesses is changing and I’m proud to be supporting this innovation in our community, for our community.
“We know there is more to do, and I will continue to help build a better future for the Illawarra.”
