A major renewable energy boost is headed for Newcastle, with almost $12 million to be invested in a network of community batteries across the city.
The project will deliver 12 batteries across Newcastle, strengthening the local energy network, reducing pressure on household power bills and enabling better use of rooftop solar.
It is one of the largest local-government-led energy storage initiatives in the region, made possible through a partnership between the federal government and City of Newcastle.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon made the announcement at Summerhill Waste Management Centre on Wednesday alongside Newcastle lord mayor Gavin Morris and Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt.
"The Albanese Labor government is backing the City of Newcastle to deliver community-scale renewable energy, helping provide cleaner, cheaper and more reliable power for key community infrastructure," Ms Claydon said.
"This project comes at a time when more than 2500 Novocastrians have already taken advantage of Labor's Cheaper Home Batteries program, helping households cut power bills and store more of the solar energy they generate."
The project includes a large-scale 5MW/10MWh battery at the Summerhill Solar Farm and a further 11 smaller batteries totalling 3.8MWh to power council facilities like childcare centres, libraries and public pools.
The batteries will be integrated into existing grid connections and renewable infrastructure, reducing installation costs and improving efficiency.
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The project is expected to lower emissions, improve energy reliability and increase capacity to store and share locally generated solar power.
Cr Morris said the council was pleased to receive $5 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to help Newcastle transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
"Battery storage is the next step in our renewable energy journey, helping us maximise the value of the investment we have already made in solar across our operations," he said.
The council will share its findings from the project to support other local governments considering similar initiatives.
