Joint media release: Investing in clean, secure energy for Flinders

The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy

The Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy

More reliable solar energy will be able to be stored and used when it’s needed with today’s launch of the Flinders Community Battery.

While one in three Australian households have already embraced rooftop solar in order to access cleaner and cheaper energy, fewer than 1 in 40 households have battery storage.

The Community Batteries for Household Solar program is about empowering communities to share in the renewable energy transformation, whether they have rooftop solar or not.

That is why the Albanese Government is rolling out more than 420 across the country.

The 360kWh battery energy storage system in Flinders has been installed by the Mornington Peninsula Shire and will support energy security and grid reliability, not only putting downward pressure on electricity bills but also easing pressure on the grid.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said it would play a key role in helping households to access cleaner, cheaper energy, while at the same time increasing grid resilience.

Comment attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“The rollout of community batteries is vital to making sure that everyone can share the benefits of renewable energy by storing rooftop solar energy during the day and dispatching at night where it’s needed.

“The rain isn’t constantly falling, yet we always have water on tap because it’s stored for when we need it – and batteries like the one in Flinders will do the same thing for reliable renewable energy.”

Comment attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson:

“It’s incredibly exciting to deliver the first community battery in the Mornington Peninsula here at the Flinders Civic Hall today.

“The 360kWh Flinders Community battery will lower emissions by an estimated 23 tonnes of CO2/year. It will stabilise and reduce pressure on the electricity grid, allowing more Flinders households to take up solar PV, and it will enable Mornington Peninsula Shire to provide greater assistance to low-income households through its Community Benefit Fund.

“The Albanese Government’s Reliable Renewables plan is bringing cleaner, cheaper reliable renewable energy to communities across the country right now.”