Solar panels and batteries will combine to be a bill buster for Canberra’s social housing tenants. Photo: Huglo Solar.
Up to 7500 Canberra households will benefit from lower power bills with the help of a $12.9 million Commonwealth program to install rooftop solar and batteries in social housing properties.
The upgrades delivered under the Albanese Government’s Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative could save tenants about $1800 on their energy bills each year.
The program will do this using Virtual Power Plants (VPP) to connect and combine renewable energy resources. By joining a VPP, households with solar panels and batteries can access savings on their energy bills.
The new funding is part of the Commonwealth’s $500 million expansion of the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI). It will enable more than 100,000 social housing properties across Australia – almost 25 per cent of the country’s social housing stock – to save on energy bills and reduce emissions.
A joint Federal and ACT government statement said this would provide lasting cost of living relief by ensuring some of the most vulnerable households are better insulated from bill shock.
The ACT Government will provide a greater weighting through the procurement process for products that are Australian made.
Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson said energy efficiency upgrades could make a real difference to the comfort and running costs of a home.
“After the recent hot weather and knowing the challenge of winter is ahead, we’re reminded of just how vital these upgrades are in bringing year-round comfort and lowering bills to some of the most vulnerable households,” he said.
ACT Minister for Homes and New Suburbs Yvette Berry today’s announcement built on the ACT’s ongoing commitment to improve the comfort and energy affordability of public housing.
“Our new public housing builds maximise energy efficiency, including a 6-star energy rating and energy efficient appliances,” she said.
“The existing public housing stock is also being upgraded through the Home Energy Support Program, with ceiling insulation and or electrification upgrades already completed in over 2500 properties since the program began in 2023.
“The latest SHEPI funding marks a further investment in public housing that is critically important to our community’s overall economic and social wellbeing.”
ACT Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, Suzanne Orr said the ACT Government was committed to ensuring no Canberrans were left behind as the Territory transitions to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
“We welcome this significant further investment by the Australian Government which will see rooftop solar panels and batteries installed at thousands of social housing properties,” she said.
“These solar and battery systems will be operated as a Virtual Power Plant, delivering an innovative and long-term solution to reducing electricity costs and supporting grid reliability.”
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