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North Sydney is the latest area to see some renewable energy love, with the construction of a community battery in Cammeray.
The government said in a statement: “Whether you are a homeowner with solar, renting an apartment or living in social housing, this community battery will ensure everyone has access to cheap, reliable renewables when and where they need it.”
In dollar terms, a reported 350 locals will see savings of around $200 per year, with the battery absorbing excess rooftop solar during the day and feeding it back to the network during peak times.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said: “Our Reliable Renewables Plan is bringing cleaner, cheaper and reliable renewable energy to communities across the country, including right here in North Sydney. The rain doesn’t always fall, but we always have water on tap because we store it for when we need it – batteries like the one in [Cammeray] will do the same thing with reliable and affordable renewable energy.”
Senator for NSW, Tony Sheldon, said: “Our focus has always been on delivering cheap, reliable, and clean energy, and that’s exactly what this battery will do for the community of North Sydney.”
Further to North Sydney seeing some attention, so too are three regional areas with clean energy solutions announced in December:
- Collie Battery Stage 2 to provide critical support for the Western Australian energy grid.
- Western Downs Battery Stage 1 in Queensland to support more renewable energy into the National Electricity Market (NEM).
- Culcairn Solar Farm in south-west NSW.
The Albanese government announced the $100 million investment that will provide power to around 160,000 homes.
Each of these introductions will reportedly generate “cheap, clean, and secure” power, while creating jobs in regional communities.
“The Albanese Government is deploying Australia’s largest green bank to invest in reliable renewable energy right now, creating the clean, cheap and secure energy grid Australians deserve,” said Bowen.
“This latest partnership with Neoen will see three regional communities benefit for jobs and local economic activity, while our electricity system stores our abundant solar and wind through the day, ready to be discharged at night.”
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson, echoed similar sentiments: “The expanded Collie Battery Energy Storage System will create 150 construction jobs and be able to supply 20 per cent of evening peak demand in the Western Australian energy grid that supplies the state’s southwest, including Perth.
“In just two years, the Albanese Government has overseen a 25 percent increase in renewable energy generation, and we are delivering grid-scale batteries to firm-up the cheaper, cleaner energy that Australians expect.”
These announcements come off the back of a partnership between Australia and the Republic of Korea that will co-operate in developing clean energy solutions, with the goal of being net zero by 2050.
According to Bowen, this partnership will create opportunities for renewable energy and help “Australia to become a renewable energy superpower.”
“We are committed to remaining a reliable, stable and secure energy supplier to Korea as we work to become a renewable energy superpower and help the world decarbonise,” said Bowen.
“This partnership deepens and expands our bilateral cooperation on hydrogen and green metals as our two nations pursue a shared commitment to reach net zero by 2050. A Future Made in Australia is not a future made alone – strengthening cooperation creates new employment and export opportunities for Australian businesses in our cities and our regions.”
[Related: ANZ offering clean energy finance discount]
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