Central Goldfields Shire Council will be a key partner in an exciting new project to develop an investment-ready business case for a community battery in our Shire.
The ‘Regional Greenhouse Alliance Neighbourhood Battery Investigation Project’ was one of nine projects to be awarded funding through the Victorian Government’s Neighbourhood Battery Initiative – Round 3 announced by Minister D’Ambrosio on Monday 28 August.
The project, led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance, and Gippsland Alliance for Climate Action, in partnership with Indigo Power, will develop the business case for a single community battery site in the Central Goldfields Shire and 17 other local government areas across regional Victoria.
Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance Chief Executive Officer Annika Kearton said The Greenhouse Alliances are delighted to be working with 18 councils across regional Victoria on this exciting project.
“The project will plan community batteries at sites servicing a high value community need, such as emergency shelters, places of last resort, and other critical community facilities, with a focus on exploring how to maximise benefits at different community sites.”
Central Goldfields Shire Council is a member of the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance and will be a key partner in the project.
Council is committed to working with community to mitigate and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Central Goldfields Shire Maryborough Ward Councillor and Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance Board Member Wayne Sproull said it is an exciting project allowing us to thoroughly investigate the potential benefits of a community battery in our Shire and how we can make this a reality.
“A community battery will help work towards both mitigation and adaptation goals in the Central Goldfields Climate Action Plan. The potential to reduce emissions, improve energy security in emergency situations and other benefits will be explored”.
Central Goldfields Shire Council thanks the Victorian Government for supporting this innovative regional project which will run from September 2023 to August 2024.
