New community battery to drive down household energy bills and power Cammeray’s reliable renewable future

The Albanese Government is lowering power bills and boosting energy reliability for households in North Sydney, as today a community battery in Cammeray is switched on. 

Whether you are a homeowner with solar, renting an apartment or living in social housing, this community battery will ensure everyone has access to cheap, reliable renewables when and where they need it. 

Around 350 locals will be able to benefit from savings of around $200 a year, as the battery absorbs excess rooftop solar during the day and feeds it back to the network during peak times. 

Community batteries can also avoid or defer costly upgrades to the electricity network’s poles and wires, benefitting all consumers through reduced network tariffs. 

In 2024, Australia celebrated the four millionth rooftop solar installation – a testament to our world-renowned sunshine and unprecedented access to the cheapest and cleanest renewable energy resource. 

Aussie homeowners know rooftop solar is a no-brainer when it comes to bringing down bills, with one in three households embracing solar but only around 1 in 40 households have battery storage. 

Our Community Batteries for Household Solar program ensuring households can share or use their excess rooftop solar energy locally and reap the economic benefits without having to buy their own battery. 

Our energy plan is the only one supported by experts to deliver the clean, cheap, reliable and resilient energy system that Australians deserve. 

It’s supported by independent advice from the CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) that the lowest-cost plan for a reliable energy grid is Australia’s world-leading renewables like solar and wind, firmed up with batteries, pumped hydro, flexible gas and transmission. 

This is all in stark contrast to Peter Dutton who doesn’t believe batteries work and is now spearheading an anti-renewables obsession turned nuclear scheme that will only extend expensive coal and pass even bigger costs onto Australians. 

The 200kW / 284kWh Cammeray battery energy storage system is built and owned by Ausgrid. 

To benefit from the Cammeray community battery and lower household energy bills, sign up to Energy Storage as a Service here: Energy Storage as a Service (ESaaS) - Ausgrid. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen: 

“Our Reliable Renewables Plan is bringing cleaner, cheaper and reliable renewable energy to communities across the country, including right here in North Sydney. 

“The rain doesn’t always fall, but we always have water on tap because we store it for when we need it – batteries like the one in will do the same thing with reliable and affordable renewable energy. 

“Since coming to Government, we have brought online new electricity that is the equivalent of more than three entire Snowy Hydro schemes while delivering immediate cost of living relief. 

“In contrast Peter Dutton’s nuclear scheme guarantees an expensive, unreliable energy system for longer – nuclear will push up bills, costs too much and takes too long.” 

Quotes attributable to Senator for New South Wales Tony Sheldon: 

“Our focus has always been on delivering cheap, reliable, and clean energy, and that’s exactly what this battery will do for the community of North Sydney. 

“This battery represents Labor’s commitment to a renewable energy revolution that cuts bills, eases cost-of-living pressures and strengthens our energy independence to secure Australia’s future. 

“Unlike Peter Dutton and his Coalition, we’re committed to delivering practical solutions; not pie-in-the-sky schemes that cost an arm and a leg, push up power bills, and take decades to deliver.”