Cutting power bills with community batteries
The Nationals in State Government will bring the benefits of batteries to community organisations across Victoria and Latrobe Valley.
A key part of The Nationals’ Power to the People Plan, community organisations will be able to access grants of up to $1 million as part of a $100 million Net Zero Renewables Community Projects Fund to install solar panels, big batteries, and other supporting infrastructure.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said Power to the People builds upon The Nationals commitment to delivering a sensible transition to new energy sources and keeping costs down for community groups who are struggling with rising costs.
“Charities, sporting clubs, seniors’ centres, scout halls and more will be able to access the renewable power infrastructure they need to push down their power bills.”
This plan builds on The Nationals comprehensive energy plan, which includes:
- Providing one million households with rebates of up to $4,400 – $1,400 for solar panels and $3,000 for a home batteries – with rebates doubled for rental properties.
- Encouraging conventional onshore gas production, including a domestic reservation policy within six months.
- Establishing a $1 billion Victorian Hydrogen Strategy
- Unlocking 1,800 megawatts of renewable energy by upgrading transmission infrastructure in Western Victoria.
- Legislating a 50 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030.
The Nationals candidate for Morwell, Martin Cameron said community batteries were a key part of The Nationals’ plan to deliver cheaper, more reliable, and sustainable power to our grassroots community organisations.
“This is all part of our common-sense plan to keep power bills down and the lights on,” said Mr Cameron.
“By extending batteries to community organisations, The Nationals will spread the benefits of cheaper energy bills and a more stable network to residents right across the Latrobe Valley.
“It helps us reach renewable energy targets and provide bill relief to those organisations which contribute so much to our local community.
“Community batteries will be a key part of our future energy system and our grassroots organisations in the Latrobe Valley.”