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 unused out-of-season rooftop solar energy.

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 up 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.

The 100 Neighbourhood Batteries program is supporting 90 batteries across the state assisting a wide range of community organisations, not-for-profits, places of worship and public entities to lower their energy bills and provide access to renewable energy.