THE HON CHRIS BOWEN MP
MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY
MEMBER FOR MCMAHON
THE HON STEPHEN JONES MP
ASSISTANT TREASURER
MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
MEMBER FOR WHITLAM
ALISON BYRNES MP
MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM
Federal Illawarra MPs announced today that Warrawong and Dapto will receive community batteries, helping lower household electricity bills, reduce emissions and deliver reliable renewable energy for local residents.
Endeavour Energy will receive $1 million in the first round of grant funding from the Albanese Government to install community batteries, which will support Warrawong and Dapto with affordable energy by storing renewable energy generated during the day for distribution in the evening when energy is more expensive.
Funding for a 720 kilowatt hour battery in Warrawong and a 1040 kilowatt hour battery in Dapto is part of the government’s Community Batteries program, investing $200 million to install 400 community batteries across the country.
Community batteries also enable households without solar panels to reap the benefits of renewable energy, while reducing emissions and easing pressure on the grid by absorbing excess solar generated electricity.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy 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 1 in 3 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” Minister Bowen said.
Member for Whitlam, Stephen Jones said the introduction of community batteries to the region is a step in the right – renewable – direction.
“The commitment of community batteries to the Illawarra will benefit not just the community but also the environment and is a step in the right direction for supporting those in the community who need it most.”
Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes said this is another example of the Albanese Labor Government delivering for our region.
“This is a great win for people in Warrawong, a community of around 500 households with some of the most vulnerable people in our region, who are now set to benefit from the Labor government's investment in community batteries.”
Community Batteries are just one of the steps the Albanese Government is taking to drive down household and business energy costs and make homes and businesses cheaper to run.
The Government’s Energy Price Relief Plan capped skyrocketing coal and gas prices, reducing wholesale electricity prices by 50 per cent since October, and more than five million households and one million small businesses will be eligible for Energy Price Relief Rebates from July 1 relief the Liberals and Nationals voted against.
As part of our plan to ease the cost of living without adding to inflation, the 2023-24 Budget delivers more than $1.6 billion for energy saving upgrades for homes, businesses and social housing. This investment will help people with older homes and appliances that don’t meet modern energy standards to upgrade and keep money from leaking out the door.
With Endeavour Energy given the green light, work will now begin to formalise the battery location, engage with the local community and start works in coming months to plug the battery into the grid.
The remaining 342 community batteries are being delivered through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) now, with expressions of interest open until 30 June 2023.
For more information on the Community Batteries Program visit the following website https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/renewable/community-batteries
