The Australian Government has announced support for a new renewable energy microgrid project in Braidwood, located in the Southern Tablelands region of New South Wales, aimed at improving energy reliability and resilience for regional communities vulnerable to bushfires and severe weather events.
The Braidwood Renewable Energy Project will deliver an islandable solar and battery microgrid capable of operating independently during broader grid disruptions. The system is designed to help maintain electricity supply to the township of Braidwood and surrounding communities during emergencies such as bushfires, storms, and other natural disasters.
Located at the end of a single distribution line in a high bushfire-risk zone, Braidwood has historically faced increased vulnerability to prolonged power outages. The new project aims to strengthen local energy security while reducing reliance on diesel-based backup generation.
The project will include 5 MW of solar generation capacity combined with a 5 MW/10 MWh battery energy storage system. According to the government, the microgrid will improve local grid resilience, lower outage risks, and provide a cleaner and more reliable source of electricity for the region.
The initiative is being developed by EDPR Australia in partnership with Essential Energy and Braidwood Clean Energy.
The project has received $3 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) through the government’s Regional Microgrids Program.
According to the government, the broader $125 million Regional Microgrids Program is focused on supporting the development and deployment of microgrid technologies across regional and remote communities in Australia to improve energy reliability and expand access to renewable energy solutions.
Commenting on the project, Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, said the Braidwood microgrid reflects the country’s transition toward cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy systems for regional communities.
Bowen stated that renewable energy and battery storage projects such as the Braidwood microgrid can help communities remain connected during extreme weather events while strengthening the resilience of the electricity network.
Kristy McBain, Minister for Emergency Management and Member for Eden-Monaro, said the project would help improve preparedness for future natural disasters in bushfire-prone regions.
She added that the microgrid would provide uninterrupted electricity supply during future grid outages, helping the local community remain connected during emergencies.
The project is also expected to provide insights into the technical and economic viability of islandable microgrids for fire-prone and grid-constrained communities, supporting future deployment of similar renewable energy systems across regional Australia.
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