Australian scheme to deliver 100 neighborhood batteries kicks off final funding round

The Victorian government has launched its third and final round of grant funding through the 100 Neighborhood Batteries Program (100NBP), offering $400,000 (USD$263,000) per battery through multiple streams of eligibility, to a pool of nine council regions, which have not previously received funding under previous rounds.

To date, 90 neighborhood-scale batteries have been funded through the program, with Round 3 offering three streams of eligibility to encourage projects that will deliver network benefits, community benefits, and energy resilience.

In Stream 1, funding of up to $400,000 per battery, sized from 20 kW / 40 kWh up to a maximum 5 MW / 20 MWh, will be provided for projects that put into place one or more neighborhood batteries (including installation and commissioning), and can prove quantified benefits for the network.

Delivering community benefits through Stream 2 requires proof of quantified benefits for the local community only, with all other details the same as Stream 1, except needing to fulfil network benefits.

Delivering energy resilience through Stream 3 also provides up to $400,000 for projects that implement one or more energy back-up systems that are capable of continuing to supply power to one or more publicly accessible building/s during grid outages.

Each energy back-up system must include a neighborhood battery and may also include installation of one or any solar, generator and management systems.

Proponents are not limited one battery or back up system application, but all projects are to be included in the one submission and if costs exceeds limit the government will honour the extra funds if the application is successful.

A total of $18.44 million (USD $12.12 million) in grant funding through the program has helped to unlock $6.89 million (USD $4.53 million) in private investment, the government says and injected $25.3 million (USD $16.23 million)into the Victorian economy.

Round 3 of the 100 Neighborhood Batteries Program opens 15 July 2025 and closes 15 September 2025. Projects must be completed by 31 August 2026.

From pv magazine Australia.