The Australian Government has activated the second community battery under its national Community Batteries for Household Solar program with the latest addition of a 412-kilowatt-hour Narara battery, constructed by Ausgrid and located on the NSW Central Coast.
The Narara battery represents the second installation out of a total of 400 community batteries planned for nationwide deployment, the government said in a media release.
The Narara community battery is also expected to make a significant difference by offering cleaner and more cost-effective energy, addressing issues of energy reliability.
The government said this project will enable more households to harness the benefits of household solar systems while also supporting the broader energy market.
Recent analysis revealed that households in New South Wales can save a substantial $1015 annually, which equates to a 48 per cent reduction in their energy bills through rooftop solar utilization.
However, this transition necessitates a grid that can ensure reliable energy access beyond daylight hours.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen emphasised the broader impact of community batteries on both individual households and the larger energy transformation.
He stated, “Delivering more storage like we’re doing today enables more households to reliably access the cost-of-living relief offered by solar.”
The 400 community batteries deployment commitment is a part of the Australian Government’s strategy to empower households with access to cheaper and cleaner energy.
Dr Gordon Reid, the local Member for Robertson, expressed his enthusiasm for the Narara Community Battery project, highlighting the benefits it will bring to the community.
“The Narara Community Battery will help residents in Narara harness and store excess rooftop solar power, which the whole community will benefit from,” he noted.
“Community batteries help our suburbs transition to renewable energy, reducing our carbon footprint and helping with the cost of energy,” Dr Reid said.
This installation marks the second out of 58 batteries under the purview of the Business Grants Hub, while the remaining 342 community batteries are set to be managed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
