Powering Resilience in the Regions is funded through the Victorian Government’s 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program (Round 2, Stream 3).

Eleven (11) energy back-up systems have been funded across ten (10) local government areas. Each energy back-up system will be comprised of a behind-the-meter battery energy storage system integrated with existing and/or new solar PV.

The objectives and expected outcomes of the Project are:

• Enhanced energy resilience in regional communities impacted by extended grid outages through the installation and commissioning of energy back-up systems on council-owned public facilities.
• Capacity to back-up critical circuits at these facilities for at least two days in the event of a grid outage, and to charge from solar in island mode to extend back-up duration.
• Reduced energy costs at funded sites, with savings to be passed on to site users and the wider community through benefit sharing mechanisms.

The Project is 95% grant funded, with a 5% cash contribution from Participating Councils. As a grant-funded project, it is expected that works will commence as soon as possible from contract signing, and that all systems will be installed and operational by the end of October 2026.