Two community batteries go live in the City of Campbelltown

Endeavour Energy joined the Mayor of Campbelltown City Council, Councillor Darcy Lound, to switch on two community batteries in the region, and encouraged local residents to sign up and save on household electricity costs.

The two community batteries include a large battery wrapped in Indigenous art at Blair Athol and small unit mounted to an electricity pole in Macquarie Fields, which together enable 140 local residents to benefit from renewable energy, whether or not they have solar, own their own house, rent or live in an apartment.

Endeavour Energy’s General Manager, Future Grid & Asset Management, Colin Crisafulli said he was delighted to open the program to local residents, offering new ways to use, store and benefit from solar energy, while saving on household energy bills and decreasing household emissions.

“We’re proud to be rolling out one of the most significant community battery programs in NSW and are calling on local residents to get involved and actively participate in the energy transition by making the most of this shared battery solution.

“In addition to driving down costs, the Blair Athol community battery is adorned with the artwork of Ngemba elder, Aunty Jenny Shillingsworth, titled Country tells our Story, to create a stunning piece of community art and is a lasting legacy for the community to enjoy,” he concluded.

The Mayor of Campbelltown City Council, Councillor Darcy Lound welcomed the two community batteries, saying, “We’re excited to see the Blair Athol and Macquarie Fields community batteries switched on and ready to support our local community.

“These community batteries are an important part of ongoing efforts to support sustainability initiatives in Campbelltown and reflect our commitment to exploring practical environmental solutions,” Cr Lound said.

“The Blair Athol and Macquarie Fields community batteries are part of Endeavour Energy’s program of 10 community batteries being delivered across Bargo, Cambewarra, East Bowral, Hammondville and St Georges Basin, and fully operational at Kiama, Shell Cove and Bungarribee.

An additional 76 community batteries are being rolled out in partnership with the Federal Government across 33 suburbs in Greater Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, and the Illawarra.

Origin Energy will provide the platform for customers to participate in the battery trial and will also orchestrate the energy stored in the battery, including dispatch to the wholesale market, working with Endeavour Energy to support electricity demand management.

“We’re thrilled to help bring another two community batteries to life in partnership with Endeavour Energy, which will give households in Blair Athol and Macquarie Fields the opportunity to reduce their energy bills,” Origin’s Executive General Manager – Origin Zero, James MaGill.

“Through these community battery trials, people can share in the benefits that battery storage provides, regardless of whether they have solar panels and without the upfront cost required to purchase their own battery. We encourage households in the area to engage with this initiative, which will help them harness more renewable energy and save money,” he said.”

Residents living within the Blair Athol and Macquarie Fields catchment areas are invited to register their interest now at www.endeavourenergy.com.au/communitybatteries or by phoning Endeavour Energy on 133 003. Further information on the community battery and trial location is available on the Endeavour Energy website.

For media enquiries, to arrange an interview, photos or video footage please contact: Rebecca Hill: 0409 266 248 Rebecca.Hill@endeavourenergy.com.au

Blair Athol Community Battery Artwork
The Blair Athol Community Battery features the artwork entitled Country tells our Story by Ngemba woman and Elder Aunty Jenny Shillingsworth.

About the art
Handprints, footprints, animal prints. They tell a story of the eldest culture. Indigenous people coming together gathering to share stories of hunting and taking care of country. Indigenous roots are deeply etched on rocks in caves, footprints and animal prints set deeply in the landscape our country. Which will continue to tell our stories of the indigenous people and culture.

About Endeavour Energy

Endeavour Energy is one of Australia’s most efficient networks, powering NSW’s fastest growing economies and sustaining the jobs and lifestyles of 2.7 million Australians, living and working in Central West NSW, the Blue Mountains, Greater Western Sydney, Southern Highlands, Illawarra and South Coast of NSW.

Endeavour Energy’s asset base includes 430,000 power poles and street light columns, 202 major substations and 32,600 distribution substations, and integrates renewable energy sources including 290,000 residential solar connections, industrial solar and embedded large-scale batteries.

About Campbelltown City Council

Campbelltown is the capital of the Macarthur Region, one of fastest growing regions in Australia. Campbelltown is where the City meets the bush. On Dharawal land, the natural landscape and setting of the city are some of Campbelltown’s greatest assets and represent the foundation of the City’s structure and places. Campbelltown is known as the land between two rivers - the Nepean and Georges - and is also where the Cumberland Plain in the west meets the coastal plateau in the east. The result is a distinctive natural setting of a City in a valley that characterises the place to this day. Campbelltown is a diverse and growing community of over 180,000 people. The population is expected to grow to almost 250,000 by 2036. Rich in experience and culture, we come from a wide range of backgrounds. Today, 35% of our residents were born overseas and 62% of people living in Campbelltown have parents who were born overseas.

About Origin 

Origin Energy (ASX: ORG) is a leading Australian integrated energy company. Origin is a leading energy retailer with more than 4.5 million customer accounts, approximately 7,000 MW of power generation capacity and is also a large natural gas producer. Origin’s ambition is to lead the energy transition through cleaner energy and unrivalled customer solutions.