On Monday 10 March, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio announced that Ararat Rural City Council have been successful in securing grant funding for a battery storage installation and solar PV integration at Pomonal Community Hall, as part of round two of the Victorian Government's $42 million 100 Neighbourhood Battery Program.
The Pomonal Community Hall project is being funded as part of a joint initiative led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance in partnership with 10 councils across regional Victoria.
Climate change and extreme weather events pose an increasing risk to electricity infrastructure in Ararat Rural City. Pomonal and its surrounding areas have experienced multiple bushfire and heatwave events in recent years, resulting in extended grid outages. With extreme weather events in the region becoming more frequent, there is a growing need for the establishment of an energy resilient hub in the municipality.
Following detailed feasibility and business case work undertaken in partnership with the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance in 2024, Pomonal Community Hall was identified by Council as a suitable location for an energy resilience hub for the town and surrounding areas.
An energy backup system comprised of a 25 kW/50 kWh battery integrated with existing solar PV battery will future-proof the Hall as an energy resilient hub for residents of Pomonal and surrounding areas to access in the event of an extended grid outage.
The proposed system is expected to provide up to 2 days' back-up power for critical power and lighting circuits from the battery alone, with capacity to charge from solar in island-mode to extended back-up power duration if required.
This grant funding is an important step towards making Pomonal a more energy-efficient, resilient, and sustainable space for the community. Council is proud to be playing a leadership role in the facilitation of local energy solutions that create long-term environment and financial benefits, and demonstrate a model for others to follow.
Batteries funded through the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program are helping Victoria reach its target of at least 2.6 GW of energy storage by 2030 and 6.3 GW by 2035.
Council is grateful to the Victorian Government for their support and looks forward to the successful completion of this project in 2026. Council would also like to acknowledge the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance for its support of sustainability initiatives in our region.
