The New South Wales South Coast has received its first community battery, delivering cost benefits to residents and marking a major milestone in the drive to connect more renewables to the energy grid.

The community battery, one of 54 currently being rolled out across the Endeavour Energy network, will ensure residents can rely on a more sustainable, resilient and cost-effective power supply.

Endeavour Energy General Manager, Future Grid & Asset Management, Colin Crisafulli, said that the pioneering community battery marks a new era of energy savings for customers.

“Endeavour Energy has been providing power to this region for more than 100 years, and as part of the energy transition we are excited to deliver clean, green storage to the South Coast of New South Wales,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The Shell Cove Community Battery will help customers save on household electricity costs and reduce their household carbon footprint. Community batteries will also help to lower costs for customers across our entire region by improving the efficiency of the network.”

Mr Crisafulli said that the Shell Cove battery was the second of many community batteries currently being installed in the Endeavour Energy region with a further eight being delivered in the Campbelltown, Kiama, Liverpool, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly areas.

Additionally, a further 44 batteries are being rolled out across the Endeavour Energy network over the next 18 months as part of the Federal Batteries for Household Solar Program. A further 32 are proposed.

The Mayor of Shellharbour City Council, Chris Homer, welcomed the battery to Shell Cove.

“We’re thrilled to be taking another major step towards our goal of supporting the community to reach net zero emissions by 2050,” Mr Homer said.

“Residential electricity is one of the major community emissions sources for Shellharbour City, so we are very encouraged to see Endeavour Energy leading in the supply of clean, renewable and reliable energy for our residents.

“This community battery will allow residents to store locally generated renewable energy from their household solar, and use the power when the sun isn’t shining. Residents without solar power can also participate in the battery.

“Not only do participating residents get access to locally generated, reliable renewable energy, they also can access cheaper power, and earn more from their solar energy generated.”

Origin Energy will provide the platform for customers to participate in the battery trial. Origin will also orchestrate the energy stored in the battery, including dispatch to the wholesale market, and work with Endeavour Energy to support electricity demand management.

Origin Executive General Manager – Future Energy & Technology, Tony Lucas, said that he is pleased to be working with Endeavour Energy on this battery project which will provide households in the Shell Cove community the opportunity to save on their energy costs.

“Community batteries allow people to share in the benefits of battery storage, whether they have solar panels or not, without the upfront costs attached to purchasing a battery for their home,” Mr Lucas said.

“We look forward to people accessing this trial and reaping the benefits that come with harnessing renewable energy.”