- Western Power has successfully secured funding for six community batteries
- Batteries are part of the ongoing transition to a renewable energy future
- The six batteries will be located in Bayswater, Coogee, Dianella, Kinross, Port Kennedy and Stratton
Energy Minister Bill Johnston has announced that Western Australia has successfully secured six community batteries as part of the $200 million Federal Government's Community Batteries for Household Solar Grant Program.
The joint Western Power and Synergy application will see six community batteries deployed to suburbs with high rooftop solar penetration, enabling the transition to a cleaner energy future.
Announced in October 2022, the Federal Government's community batteries program aims to deliver 400 batteries nationally. The program has so far provided funding for 52 batteries, of which six are located in WA.
The six locations are Bayswater, Coogee, Dianella, Kinross, Port Kennedy and Stratton. Western Power and Synergy have been working with the local government authorities of these areas, which have provided in principle support.
The batteries will be of similar size to Western Power's and Synergy's existing PowerBank fleet and provide multiple community benefits including enabling higher uptake of renewable energy such as rooftop solar, reduced electricity bills and in managing costs during periods of peak demand.
Work on the batteries is expected to start in July 2023 with the batteries to be installed by March 2025.
The Federal Government is administering the funding to deliver the community batteries.
Comments attributed to Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
"Community batteries have an important role to play in our energy future.
"With one in three WA homes owning rooftop solar, it's essential that we harness solar energy efficiently to deliver better outcomes for the community.
"Community batteries store unused solar power from households during periods of low demand and discharge power during peak energy periods, keeping the electricity system stable.
"Western Power and Synergy are working with Energy Policy WA to implement this community battery rollout to the initial six locations with work also progressing for the next round of Federal Government funding.
"The State Government is committed to securing as much Federal Government funding for storage for our State as possible."
Minister's office - 6552 6700
