The Allan Labor Government is helping families stay safe and connected during power outages, ensuring they have access to essentials like hot water and power to charge their phones.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio today visited the energy resilience hub at Cockatoo to announce the completion of the $7.5 million Energy Resilience Solutions (ERS) program - helping to keep the lights on and services running, if a fire or storm damages local power lines.
There are now 24 community energy hubs across Victoria that are equipped with solar panels, batteries and generators that provide power back up during a severe storm event and help to keep essential services running during prolonged power outages.
The energy hubs are located in high-risk areas for severe weather impacts like the Yarra Ranges, Gippsland, Dandenong Ranges and along the Great Ocean Road.
The hubs have already had a positive impact with a number of systems kicking in - including in the neighbouring towns of Emerald and Gembrook - during the storms February last year.
This means communities have a reliable place to gather, charge devices, heat food, access hot water and stay connected during emergencies.
The community hubs also reduce reliance on diesel generators as a primary back-up, lowering energy costs for local councils that operate the facilities.
The Cockatoo energy resilience hub opened last year and has a 13.6 kilowatt solar array, 52 kilowatt hour battery and a backup generator supplying three buildings which provide a safe place to get information, charge devices and cook during a prolonged outage.
In addition, energy backup systems are also being deployed in Omeo and town wide microgrids in Mallacoota and Corryong through the Community Microgrids and Sustainable Energy Program. The 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program also includes funding batteries that can power publicly accessible buildings during grid outages.
For more information on energy resilience programs and the Network Outage Review, visit energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/community-hubs-energy-backup-systems.
As stated by Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio
"By investing in local energy solutions and acting on the lessons of past outages, we're ensuring stronger protections for local communities that experience power outages."
As stated by Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino
"These energy back-up hubs are a lifeline during prolonged power outages, ensuring families have somewhere safe and secure to go to charge their devices and access hot water."
