There are plans for Endeavour Energy company to install a community solar battery in Gainsborough, but they are still awaiting formal approval from the regulator before officially announcing. 

A community battery is a locally shared battery within a community that enables storage of excess rooftop solar-generated electricity, which can be used later to provide a steady supply of electricity when there is high demand. Batteries such as this will enable the community to use the stored electricity instead of importing it from the grid, which will also reduce costs. 

The agreement with Endeavour was actually a staff-led initiative as part of Kiama Council’s Net Zero strategy and “Emissions Reduction Plan”: Strategies and plans Kiama Council (nsw.gov.au) 

A similar community battery was installed by Endeavour Energy in Bungarribee, Blacktown. Local residents were invited to participate in the community battery trial, which began in July 2023.

Endeavour Energy Chief Executive Officer Guy Chalkley said that community batteries are one of the ways Endeavour Energy is investing to help shape green energy hubs. 

“The installation of community batteries supports our target of becoming climate positive by 2040 and is part of our transition to a modern, clean energy grid that meets the changing needs of our customers with customers able to generate, store and share their energy.

 “The Bungarribee Community Battery is a first for Western Sydney but the first of many more to come. It is an exciting innovation that will see our customers both be a part of, and benefit from the energy transition, whether they have rooftop solar or not, and whether they own their home or are renting,” said Mr Chalkley.

Watch this space. The Bugle will give you updated information about the proposed local battery as soon as more information comes to hand.