The Morrison Government is continuing to support the supply of secure, reliable and affordable power for regional and remote communities to drive economic growth and help them get ahead.
Under Round Two of the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund, the Government is committing $25.6 million to back 20 microgrid feasibility studies.
This includes the Bawley Point Kiola resilient energy project which will assess the technical, economic and social feasibility of deploying an island-able microgrid consisting of 1500 kW of dispersed solar generation and 2800 kWh of battery storage in the regional NSW South Coast towns of Bawley Point and Kioloa. Also, in Gilmore, the Southcoast u-grids Reliability Feasibility (SuRF) which will engage NSW South Coast residents, businesses, and Essential Energy in planning the transition from a bushfire exposed grid to a resilient grid of islandable microgrids.
The studies will investigate whether establishing a microgrid, or upgrading existing off-grid technologies, would better meet the energy needs of regional and remote communities.
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said regional and remote communities face unique energy challenges and the Government is committed to ensuring they are not disadvantaged by unreliable and expensive energy.
“The Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund is all about shoring up the supply of secure, reliable and affordable energy for regional Australians and empowering communities to make the choices to best suit their energy needs,” Minister Taylor said.
Senator for New South Wales Jim Molan said delivering reliable and affordable energy to regional and remote communities will provide them with greater economic security and help them grow and prosper.
“Microgrids reduce regional communities’ reliance on diesel generation, bringing down the price of electricity bills for households and businesses and cutting emissions,” Senator Molan said.
“Every Australian – no matter where they live – should be confident that they will have the power they need, when they need it and at an affordable price.
Through the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund, the Government is providing around $45 million for feasibility studies in over 110 communities across Australia.
The Government has also allocated a further $50 million for grants, to be administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, to support microgrid pilot studies in regional communities.
A full list of successful projects under Round Two of the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund will be published at: https://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/regional-and-remote-communities-reliability-fund-microgrids