Community batteries delivering big benefits
With the network undergoing an exciting transformation, we’re evolving to give customers more choice around how they generate, use and store energy.
Community battery growth
We’re growing our community battery fleet to help keep power reliable and affordable as more homes go electric and more rooftop solar comes online.
Eighteen new batteries are going in across Perth and Bunbury, joining the 18 already in the ground for a total of 36.
What's happening
We’re rolling out new community batteries in targeted spots across the network, partly funded through ARENA’s Community Batteries program.
Round 1 batteries are being delivered with our project partners Powertech and Cable Layers Australia.
We’ve chosen each location with local councils and our network planning team, based on where rooftop solar is high, where local infrastructure is under pressure, and where the surrounding community stands to benefit most.
The five batteries in Bunbury are larger and will be operational by the end of 2026. The 13 across the Perth metro area will be operational by May 2027. Residents near each site will see works before they begin, and we’ll keep local communities updated as the rollout progresses.
Where they’re going
The new batteries are spread across Bayswater, Canning, Cottesloe, Melville, Swan, Cockburn, Victoria Park, Stirling, Serpentine Jarrahdale and Bunbury. For the full list of locations, see our community battery FAQs.
Artwork
Most of the new sites carry our custom Boordakan artwork, created by First Nations artist Buffie Punch. Two councils have chosen their own local designs.
How a community battery works
A community battery stores excess energy from rooftop solar during the day, then releases it in the evening when demand climbs. That helps balance the flow of power on the local network and eases pressure on nearby infrastructure.
It’s a shared asset, so the benefits reach the whole community, not just homes with solar. By soaking up surplus solar and releasing it when it’s needed, the battery helps keep local power steady and supports more rooftop solar connecting in the area.
What is a community battery?
Why they matter
As more households add solar, batteries and EVs, we need smarter ways to keep electricity reliable and affordable. Community batteries are one of those tools.
They help in a few practical ways. They support the local network during peak demand, particularly in areas of high growth and electrification where capacity is under pressure. They make better use of rooftop solar by storing surplus energy close to where it’s generated. And they can defer the need for costly network upgrades, which puts downward pressure on customer costs over time.
This is part of how we’re building a stronger, smarter network to support a cleaner energy future for Western Australians… doing more than maintaining the poles and wires, and helping coordinate a changing energy system so it works better for everyone.
Safety and noise
Each battery goes through a rigorous safety process. Batteries can include safety features like:
- Fire detection and suppression
- Remote monitoring
- Secure, locked enclosures
- Regular inspections and maintenance
All installations meet strict Australian standards. We also follow DFES guidelines when installing batteries near bushland.
Today’s battery enclosures are fully contained, assisting with the acoustics. We also consider where we orient them within parklands, and work with suppliers and acoustic engineers to make sure they meet noise standards day and night.
Want to know more?
Check out our community battery FAQs below.
A community battery is a shared neighbourhood battery solution that supports the grid by improving power reliability and smoothing power flow in a local area to enable further uptake of rooftop solar.
Although community batteries benefit the entire community (whether customers in the area have rooftop solar panels or not) they don’t currently allow for individual energy storage. But there is potential in the future. We're currently collaborating with Synergy to investigate a residential product that would allow for individual household excess solar energy to be stored and later accessed.
| City of Mandurah, Meadow Springs | City of Cockburn, Coogee |
| City of Mandurah, Falcon | City of Bayswater, Morley |
| City of Swan, Ellenbrook #1 | City of Canning, Canning Vale |
| City of Swan, Ellenbrook #2 | Town of Cottesloe, Cottesloe |
| City of Wanneroo, Two Rocks | City of Melville, Palmyra |
| City of Wanneroo, Ashby | City of Melville, Winthrop |
| City of Canning, Canning Vale | City of Swan, Ballajura |
| City of Rockingham, Port Kennedy | City of Cockburn (Goodwill Park), Atwell |
| City of Stirling, Yokine | City of Cockburn (Kurrajong Park), Atwell |
| City of Kwinana, Parmelia | Town of Victoria Park (Koolbardi Park), Carlisle |
| City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Kalgoorlie-Boulder | Town of Victoria Park (Parnham Park), Carlisle |
| City of Busselton, Vasse | City of Stirling, Balcatta |
| Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, Margaret River – behind the meter community battery (5 year trial) | Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale (Cristonia Reserve), Byford |
| City of Armadale (Harrisdale), Megapack | Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale (Doley Road), Byford |
| City of Rockingham (Lark Hill), Megapack | City of Bunbury (Bunbury Harbour 1), Usher |
| City of Rockingham (Pike Road), Megapack | City of Bunbury (Bunbury Harbour 2), Withers |
| City of Joondalup, Kinross | City of Bunbury (Bunbury Harbour 3), Withers |
| City of Rockingham, Port Kennedy | City of Bunbury (Bunbury Harbour 4), Withers |
| City of Bayswater, Bayswater | City of Bunbury (Bunbury Harbour 5), Withers |
| City of Swan, Stratton |
Community batteries offer improved power quality and lower the cost on tariffs, as they are currently more cost effective than a home battery solution.
Plans for expansion are underway. The locations of community batteries depend on a number of factors to ensure it provides optimal benefit for the community and the grid.