The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has reached a milestone of 100 community battery installations and announced additional funding for continued expansion. In the second round of funding, ARENA allocated AU$23 million across three new projects to install further community batteries in regional and urban areas. YES Group received AU$10.29 million to deploy 14 community batteries in South Australia and New South Wales regional areas, with a combined capacity of 46,876 kWh. In New South Wales, AU$8 million will support 21 community batteries through Ausgrid Network in Sydney, Central Coast, and Hunter regions, while AU$5 million will fund 12 batteries in Newcastle.
Community batteries are designed to store excess renewable energy generated during peak hours for use during periods of high demand, potentially reducing electricity network constraints and lowering costs. The deployed systems will feature a mix of small and large battery installations at solar farms, agricultural properties, and commercial sites. Agency leadership stated that the program generates valuable data on battery performance, costs, and grid impacts that will inform broader commercial deployment across Australia.
Beyond community batteries, ARENA announced an AU$8.2 million grant to support household electrification in Canberra. Electric Future, a clean energy service provider, will operate a digital platform serving up to 1,000 households in Canberra’s southern suburbs, offering a streamlined process for switching from gas-powered appliances to electric alternatives. The initiative will integrate electric vehicles, home batteries, and rooftop solar into a single advisory service, addressing common barriers such as product comparison, installer selection, and rebate navigation. The program will include support for renters and low-income households.
The government also expanded the Cheaper Home Battery scheme, extending eligibility to systems ranging from 100 kWh to 1 MW with a 20% discount. Previously limited to residential installations, the expanded program now targets farms, factories, community organizations, and commercial businesses. The original scheme has already achieved significant adoption, with over 500,000 residential systems representing 14 GWh of capacity installed nationwide.
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