Central Coast locals gain double battery benefit

Thousands of central coast residents are set to save on their power bills with the launch of Ausgrid’s Peats Ridge community battery – its largest one yet.

Comprising of two 5MW batteries, these latest batteries are poised to deliver cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy benefits to households across the region, with ten thousand customers eligible to save around $200 a year.

Ausgrid’s Group Executive Distributed Services, Rob Amphlett Lewis, said community batteries are a smart and equitable solution that will allow local households to better utilise their rooftop solar, while enabling those without solar to also benefit.

“Each community battery acts as a shared asset that can absorb abundant solar energy during the day when the sun is shining and share it back to the network during the evening peak, lowering electricity prices for everyone.

“Because batteries sit right within the existing grid, they integrate solar efficiently, improve local stability, and cut down on system costs, and whether you're a renter, an apartment dweller, or a homeowner with no solar panels, you can access the storage benefits - and the savings.

Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid said the project – delivered as part of the Federal Government’s ARENA funding – is a big win for his community.

“If you live here, you benefit. This battery gives every household - from renters to apartment owners - access to savings.

The Peats Ridge battery continues to expand Ausgrid's Energy Storage as a Service (ESaaS) initiative, enabling significant savings for locals that sign up through their retailers.

This groundbreaking program, currently offered in partnership with leading retailers

EnergyAustralia and Origin Energy, is designed to bring tangible benefits to a much wider segment of the community.

The size of the battery and related catchment area means more locals than ever are eligible.

Eleven other community batteries have been launched within Beacon Hill, Bankstown, Bondi, Cabarita, Cameron Park, Cammeray, Cooranbong, Narara, Warriewood, North Epping and Bexley North, with more planned in coming months.

ESaaS is also now available for customers near smaller pole-top community batteries in Adamstown, Bankstown, Blackwall, Canada Bay, Hurlstone Park, Kurnell, Lidcombe, Lindfield and Maitland.