Under Round Two of the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund, the federal government is committing $25.6 million to back 20 microgrid feasibility studies across Australia.
These projects are located in every state, from very remote Indigenous communities to rural farming communities across the length and breadth of Australia.
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The 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, bringing down the price of electricity bills for households and businesses and cutting emissions.
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said regional and remote communities face unique energy challenges and the Government is committed to ensuring they are not disadvantaged by unreliable and expensive energy.
“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,” Minister 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.”
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Through the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund, the government is providing around $45 million for feasibility studies in over 110 communities located in remote and regional areas across Australia.
The federal government has also allocated a further $50 million for grants, to be administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), to support microgrid pilot studies in regional and remote communities.
