The Carroll Labor Government is bringing down energy bills and delivering more reliable power for regional communities – with neighbourhood batteries at local community facilities.
Minister for Energy and Resources Jaclyn Symes visited Marysville Community Centre to open a new neighbourhood battery and expanded rooftop solar system.
The system will store renewable energy for when it’s needed most, bringing down the centre’s bills and providing backup power to support the local community.
Marysville is one of 11 communities benefiting from the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance’s Powering Resilience in the Regions project, backed by the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries program.
The project has also installed batteries at council-owned facilities in Pomonal, Trentham, Newborough, Churchill, Bonnie Doon, Castlemaine, Korumburra, Benalla, Bright and Wendouree.
These facilities will provide places for residents to access power and support when power supply is disrupted.
At Marysville, the 59-kilowatt battery can store 224 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
Combined with the centre’s solar system, it is expected to save around $3,762 a year over its estimated 10-year life – freeing up money for local services and activities.
On Phillip Island, Mondo Power has partnered with Bass Coast Shire Council and Totally Renewable Phillip Island to install seven neighbourhood batteries on council-managed land.
A share of the batteries’ annual operating income will support local community initiatives.
Labor is delivering 139 neighbourhood batteries across 60 council areas, with 80 already installed.
Together, they will provide more than 23,000 kilowatt-hours of storage – capturing cheap renewable energy and making it available when it’s needed most.
While Labor gets on with delivering cheaper, more reliable power, Jess Wilson’s One Nation-Liberal Coalition wants to rip up the energy projects Victorians need to turn the lights on.
As stated by Minister for Energy and Resources Jaclyn Symes
“These batteries mean lower bills for community facilities and more reliable power for locals.”
“Marysville Community Centre brings people together – and spending less on power means more money for the services and activities locals rely on.”
“We’re getting on with storing cheap energy for when Victorians need it most – while Jess Wilson’s One Nation-Liberal Coalition wants to rip up projects and send bills higher.”
