THE HON CHRIS BOWEN MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Member for McMahon

Peter Khalil MP
Member for Wills

Peter Khalil MP announced today that both suburbs of Brunswick and Coburg in the electorate of Wills will receive a community battery, helping lower household electricity bills, reduce emissions and deliver reliable renewable energy for local residents. 

Merri-Bek City Council will receive $500,000 and Jemena Electricity Networks (VIC) LTD will received $500,000 in the first round of grant funding from the Albanese Government to install a community battery in Brunswick and Coburg, respectively, which will support local households with affordable energy by storing renewable energy generated during the day for distribution in the evening when energy is more expensive.

Funding for the community batteries 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. 

Federal Member for Wills Peter Khalil said “It is great for our community to have secured this important local investment which will help ease pressure on household energy bills and reduce emissions by providing greater access to solar energy”. He said this investment is particularly important for households unable to access solar power, such as renters or people who live in apartments. 
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% 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 202324 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 the applicants 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

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Media contact: Lachlan Hinds (Peter Khalil’s Office) 0455 999 677