Under round two of the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund, the federal government has committed $25.6 million for 20 microgrid feasibility studies to support secure, reliable and affordable power supplies.
These projects are in every state, from remote Indigenous communities to rural farming communities across Australia.
The microgrid feasibility studies will investigate whether establishing a microgrid, or upgrading existing off-grid technologies, would better meet the energy needs of regional and remote communities.
Microgrids reduce regional communities’ reliance on diesel generation, which brings down the price of electricity bills for households and businesses and cuts emissions.
Regional and remote communities face unique energy challenges. The government is committed to ensuring they are not disadvantaged by unreliable and expensive energy, minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said.
“The Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund is all about shoring up the supply of secure, reliable and affordable energy for regional Australians and empowering communities to make the choices to best suit their energy needs,” Taylor said.
“Every Australian – no matter where they live – should be confident that they will have the power they need, when they need it and at an affordable price.
“Delivering reliable and affordable energy to regional and remote communities will provide them with greater economic security and help them grow and prosper.”
Through the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund, the federal government is providing around $45 million for similar feasibility studies in over 110 communities across Australia.
The federal government has also allocated a further $50 million for grants to be administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, to support microgrid pilot studies in regional communities.