SIX out of seven completed neighbourhood-scale batteries to power Phillip Island have been officially switched on by the Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio MP and Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale MP.
The Phillip Island battery installations will help drive down energy bills for local families and make the grid more resilient to extreme weather events by utilising out-of-season rooftop solar energy from vacant Phillip Island holiday homes.
Funded as part of the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program, the Phillip Island batteries are a joint project of Mondo Energy, Bass Coast Shire Council and Totally Renewable Phillip Island.
The batteries are predicted to generate thousands of dollars in energy savings, which will be put towards a community fund over 15 years to support local community projects.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio MP said the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program is helping community organisations capture and store clean, free renewable energy for the benefit of all Victorians.
“Victoria is the home of batteries and we’re making sure places like Phillip Island are powered with cheaper, cleaner energy for local families and communities.”
Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale MP said she was pleased to open this significant neighbourhood battery project on Phillip Island, which will deliver broad and long-lasting benefits for the local community.
“This will help make Phillip Island totally renewable.
“The climate is changing and there are better ways of producing electricity.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said it takes a whole village and a community to get batteries in place.
“These batteries store locally produced power and can be used as a community hub.”
The Phillip Island batteries were described as a lighthouse for the rest of the state.
“Neighbourhood batteries soak up cheap renewable energy during the day when it’s plentiful and deliver it back to households at peak periods when it’s needed most.”
The seven battery sites located in Cowes and Wimbledon Heights have a combined capacity of 900 kW to 1845 kWh of energy storage, enough to power 1000 average-sized homes.
Afternoon tea and coffee was served after the official opening at Shearwater Reserve in Cowes, utilising water heated by energy stored in the battery installation.