The Albanese Government and the Cook Labor Government have unveiled five new community batteries across Perth, designed to lower household energy costs, cut emissions, and strengthen the state’s electricity network.
Delivered through the Australian Government’s $200 million Community Batteries for Household Solar program, Western Power received $2.5 million to install the batteries in Coogee, Kinross, Bayswater, Stratton, and Port Kennedy. Each system provides 500 kW of power and 2.8 MWh of storage capacity, collectively supporting around 350 households.
The batteries are aimed at households that face barriers to installing solar panels, such as renters, people living in apartments, and properties with unsuitable roofs. Residents connected to the systems can expect savings of up to $132 per year, along with a 4 kWh off-peak energy offset through a new retail subscription service being developed by Synergy.
The Coogee battery is already operational, with the Kinross, Bayswater, and Stratton systems scheduled to go online shortly. Construction of the Port Kennedy battery is expected to commence soon. These additions bring the total number of community batteries on the South West Interconnected System to 18.
The rollout complements broader initiatives under way in Western Australia, including the WA Residential Battery Scheme, which combines a $337 million state rebate program with the Federal Government’s $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries program. Together, these initiatives aim to enable up to 100,000 households to install solar and storage systems, backed by rebates and no-interest loans.
Western Australia has also emerged as a national leader in large-scale battery storage. Major projects such as the Boddington Giga Battery, Merredin Big Battery, Muchea Battery, and Waroona Renewable Energy Project—along with new developments in Collie and Kwinana—are advancing under the Federal Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme.
In addition, a $20.8 million investment in Project Jupiter will support the integration of household batteries and solar systems into coordinated Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), maximizing efficiency and reliability.
These latest community batteries represent another step toward a cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient energy future for Western Australia.
