Albanese Government Launches Cammeray Community Battery, Lowering Energy Bills and Advancing Renewables

The Albanese Government is taking significant steps to lower power bills and improve energy reliability for residents in North Sydney with the activation of a community battery in Cammeray today.

The new community battery, which is designed to benefit homeowners with solar panels, renters, and those in social housing, will provide access to affordable, reliable renewable energy. It will absorb excess rooftop solar power during the day and release it back into the grid during peak times, helping to reduce energy costs.

Around 350 locals are expected to save approximately $200 annually through the battery, which not only benefits individual households but also reduces the need for costly upgrades to the electricity network’s infrastructure, resulting in lower network tariffs for all consumers.

Australia recently celebrated the milestone of four million rooftop solar installations, highlighting the country’s access to cheap and clean renewable energy. While one in three households now have solar power, only a small fraction, about 1 in 40, have battery storage systems. The community battery program seeks to address this gap by enabling households to share or use excess solar energy without the need to purchase their own battery storage.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, emphasized the importance of the government’s approach to renewable energy. “Our Reliable Renewables Plan is bringing cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable renewable energy to communities across the country, including here in North Sydney,” Bowen said. “Batteries like the one in Cammeray will ensure affordable and reliable energy is available when we need it, much like how we store water for when it’s needed.”

The 200kW / 284kWh energy storage system in Cammeray was built and is owned by Ausgrid. The battery forms part of the broader effort to transition Australia towards a clean and affordable energy future, powered by renewables such as solar and wind, backed by energy storage technologies.

Bowen also criticized opposition leader Peter Dutton’s stance on nuclear energy, asserting that his plan for nuclear power would lead to higher costs and unreliable energy. “In contrast, Peter Dutton’s nuclear scheme guarantees an expensive, unreliable energy system for longer,” Bowen stated. “Nuclear will push up bills, cost too much, and take too long.”

Senator for New South Wales, Tony Sheldon, echoed Bowen’s remarks, stressing that the battery in Cammeray reflects the government’s commitment to clean, reliable energy. “This battery represents Labor’s commitment to a renewable energy revolution that cuts bills, eases cost-of-living pressures, and strengthens our energy independence,” Sheldon said.

The Cammeray community battery is a part of the government’s broader strategy to ensure that all Australians have access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy, helping to secure the country’s energy future.