Ausgrid switches on 5MW Cooranbong community battery, its largest to date

newy.com.au – Ausgrid launched its largest community battery to date at Cooranbong on Thursday 14 August 2025, with the 5MW unit intended to deliver cheaper, more reliable power for households across the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie.

The project forms part of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Community Batteries Funding Round 1 and is designed to broaden access to energy storage beyond individual rooftop systems. Ausgrid says the scale of the installation means thousands of locals could benefit through bill savings and improved grid reliability, regardless of whether they own or rent, or have solar at home.

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi said the battery, delivered with ARENA funding, would help households manage costs while supporting cleaner energy. “Community batteries allow households to access the benefits of energy storage without the upfront cost and installation hassles,” he said. “By storing excess solar energy during the day and releasing it when demand is high, this battery will help lower energy bills and ensure a more reliable power supply for local families.”

Ausgrid chief executive Marc England said the Cooranbong Battery was the first in a series of larger units the network is rolling out to make the energy transition accessible to all customers. “Whether you have solar on your roof or not, rent or own, or live in a house or apartment, you can access the community battery as though it was your own and enjoy the savings that come with it,” he said. “At half the cost of a home battery, community batteries can offer cheaper bills for the local community, a more effective management of the local network and support more renewables into the grid.”

ARENA Director of Business Development & Transactions Leon Chanter welcomed the additional capacity under the funding round. “ARENA is continuing its support for the roll out of community batteries across Australia and we’re excited to see the progress Ausgrid has made with the installation of the next ARENA-funded battery at Cooranbong,” he said. “By strategically placing energy storage at the community level, the batteries can support a more reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective energy future for all Australians.”

Ausgrid said the new installation expands its Energy Storage as a Service (ESaaS) program, which allows participating customers to draw on community batteries for potential savings. The program is offered in partnership with Origin Energy and EnergyAustralia. Origin Energy’s General Manager of Technology and Customer Enablement, Andrew Cleland, said ESaaS would help customers reduce bills whether or not they have rooftop solar. “Community batteries provide people with tangible savings on their electricity bills, without requiring them to make any upfront investment. We encourage local households to register their interest in this program to find out how accessing a community battery can help them save money, harness more renewable energy and participate in the energy transition.”

Ten other Ausgrid community batteries have been launched in Beacon Hill, Bankstown, Bondi, Cabarita, Cameron Park, Cammeray, Narara, Warriewood, North Epping and Bexley North. ESaaS is also available near smaller pole-top community batteries in Adamstown, Bankstown, Blackwall, Canada Bay, Hurlstone Park, Kurnell, Lidcombe, Lindfield and Maitland.

Ausgrid said further community batteries are planned in coming months and encouraged households in eligible areas to register interest via its ESaaS program.