The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most - helping families drive down their energy bills with cheap, clean renewable energy.
Acting Premier Ben Carroll and Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio today opened Round 3 of the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program, backed by $6.6 million to install more neighbourhood-scale batteries across Victoria.
Neighbourhood batteries return power into the hands of local communities - giving them a secure energy supply by soaking up cheap and clean renewable energy when it is plentiful and dispatching it when it is needed most.
The program is already delivering 90 neighbourhood batteries across the state, helping more Victorian families and community organisations to lower their bills. The program has also funded back-up systems at publicly accessible buildings to support communities through power outages.
The third round of the program will bring the total number of batteries to over 100, with up to $400,000 in grant funding available per battery, and participating organisations able to apply for multiple batteries as part of a project.
Not-for-profit organisations, local government authorities, co-operatives, educational institutions, public entities, private sector businesses and agencies across Victoria are invited to apply.
As part of previous rounds, Housing Choices Australia received six neighbourhood batteries across six different housing sites, helping them lower energy bills and lower rents for their tenants.
The batteries are expected to slash tenants' electricity bills by $200 a year and reduce the amount of electricity needed during peak demand, easing pressure on the local electricity grid. The batteries can also provide up to five hours of back-up power for essential services such as elevators, lights and emergency systems in each building.
Applications open from Tuesday 15 July. For more information visit energy.vic.gov.au/grants/neighbourhood-batteries/100-neighbourhood-batteries-program-grants
As stated by Acting Premier Ben Carroll
"We're on the side of Victorian families - helping drive down the cost of power bills with cheaper, cleaner renewable energy."
As stated by Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio
"We're helping organisations cut energy costs with battery technology - helping communities save their money, giving them more control, and driving the shift to cleaner, more efficient power."
As stated by Member for Pascoe Vale Anthony Cianflone
"This will make a real impact for communities including Pascoe Vale, which will build a more reliable power supply, while also slashing costs on energy bills."
