Kiama’s long-awaited community battery, offering a whopping 445kWh of storage capacity, is now officially live and will allow nearby residents to store and share solar power. Endeavour Energy and Kiama Council launched the battery on Friday 24 May 2024, encouraging 100 residents to sign up and save on household electricity bills. Its rollout follows similar initiatives located at Shell Cove and Western Sydney’s Bungarribee. 

The Kiama Community Battery, rolled out on the Endeavour Energy network and available through retail partner Origin Energy, is the largest on the provider’s network. The program is open to everyone who has an Origin Energy account, including customers who don’t have rooftop solar and those in rental properties.

Community batteries work by storing excess solar not used in homes during the day. The energy then becomes available for customers on the energy provider’s network to use during the evening peak. 

“Community batteries will help lower costs for customers across our entire region by improving the efficiency of the network,” says Endeavour Energy's General Manager, Future Grid and Asset Management, Colin Crisafulli. 

“Customers with household solar are expected to see energy costs reductions of up to $270 per year, while customers without solar will see reduced energy costs of up to $180 per year.

“Endeavour Energy has been providing power to this region for more than 100 years, and as part of the energy transition we are excited to continue to deliver clean, green storage to the South Coast of NSW.”

The battery features striking artwork by Wulbunja woman and Elder, Jodie Stewart. Titled On Country - Where the Mountains Meet the Sea, the stunning artwork features the Birri Birri (whale) totem representing Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong and the black cockatoo, the totem for Shoalhaven.  

Aunty Jodie Stewart inspects her artwork (Kiama Council)

Kiama Council Mayor Neil Reilly warmly welcomes the battery to Kiama. “We’re excited to see our local community battery – the largest in the Endeavour Energy network so far – now in operation and ready to serve the community in Kiama Downs and Minnamurra,” says Mayor Reilly.

“Our community expects their Council to strive for zero emissions, as per our Emissions Reduction Strategy and facilitating a community battery is in line with our goals and targets. It’s an asset that will provide benefits to our community and a real step in the right direction for sustainable energy in our region.”

Residents living in the Kiama Downs trial area can register their interest at www.endeavourenergy.com.au or by phoning Endeavour Energy on 133 003.