AGL to build 11.2MW and operate 11.5MW of community batteries across South Australia as part of AGL Community Power

AGL has partnered with the Government of South Australia on the emPowering SA1 community battery project to build and operate 16 community batteries that will facilitate cheaper electricity to social housing tenants and people experiencing financial hardship. 

The 16 new, 700 kW / 1828 kWh batteries as well as the South Australian government’s two recently commissioned community batteries at Magill and Edwardstown, will join AGL’s market-leading multi-asset Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and deliver 11.5 MW of flexible storage assets in total.

AGL Chief Customer Officer Jo Egan, said AGL is pleased to be partnering with the Government of South Australia to build and operate what will be AGL’s first community batteries in South Australia.

“This project builds upon our recent acquisition of South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant from Tesla one of Australia’s largest virtual power plants. It also forms part of AGL Community Power, a program that aims to find innovative ways to share the benefits of the energy transition including with those who do not have solar or batteries, or who may be locked out due to barriers to home ownership.    

“Consumer energy resources like rooftop solar play an incredibly important role in the energy transition, representing an increasing part of Australia’s total energy generation. If we can use these resources more effectively and efficiently, in ways like community batteries and virtual power plants, this will help us provide more affordable energy to some of the customers who need it the most.

“More than 10,000 low-income and energy hardship households across South Australia will be offered the chance to participate in the emPowering SA community battery project via an AGL energy plan that will be priced at 25 percent below the current SA default market offer (DMO). These offers will be made over time as the batteries roll out.” 

The project is supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of the Community Battery Program Round 1, with ARENA providing funding of approximately $11 million, on top of AGL’s $4 million investment.