The Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries program has triggered a surge in home battery installations in Bendigo, with uptake running at six times the rate of Melbourne.
The initiative, aimed at helping households store more clean solar energy and reduce power bills, has now seen 1071 local residents take up the offer of around 30 per cent off a home battery.
The program supports both residential and community facilities, with a total of more than 235,000 batteries installed nationally. According to the government, 42 per cent of these installations are in regional homes — a sign that rural and regional communities are embracing renewable energy to cut costs and ease pressure on the grid.
“Bendigo knows that batteries in their homes means more cheaper, cleaner energy in their homes, night or day when and where they need it,” Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said.
In addition to household uptake, the government is directing funding to local energy efficiency and electrification projects. In the Bendigo region, this includes $1.2 million for the Bendigo Library’s electrification project and $248,000 for Castlemaine Town Hall upgrades aimed at lowering energy bills and improving comfort.
“From powering story time at the library, to bedtime stories at home, our investment in renewable energy is delivering cheaper, cleaner energy for everyone in Bendigo,” Bowen said.
Local Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters shared a similar sentiment.
“Cheaper home batteries are now helping store their power, cut their bills for good, and take control of their energy use,” she said.
“Every local household or small business that installs roof top solar and batteries are also helping to take pressure off the grid.”