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Western Power Community Battery Program

Western Power Community Battery Program

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Discover the future of energy in your community

Last Updated: 31 July 2025

The City of Melville, in collaboration with Western Power, is excited to announce a proposed community battery installation in Winthrop. This project is part of a broader transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future for Western Australia. Community batteries store excess solar energy generated during the day and release it during peak demand periods, particularly in the evenings when most households use the most electricity. These batteries support local rooftop solar uptake, reduce emissions, and improve overall power reliability across the network.

How community batteries work

Community batteries are shared energy storage systems installed in neighbourhoods. Unlike individual home batteries, they are connected at the community level and are owned and operated by Western Power.

They work by:

  • Storing excess solar energy generated during the day
  • Distributing stored energy during peak times
  • Supporting power quality and reliability in your local area
  • Enabling further adoption of rooftop solar.

This shared approach reduces network pressure and supports the transition to renewable energy in a more cost-effective and efficient way.

Preferred location

Western Power has identified Somerville Park in Winthrop as a suitable site for the installation of a community battery. The location was selected based on technical feasibility, local solar uptake, and electricity demand in the area.

The Winthrop community has consistently demonstrated strong environmental leadership, with an increasing number of households installing rooftop solar systems and actively supporting sustainability initiatives. This makes Winthrop an ideal location to benefit from the shared advantages of a community battery, including improved power reliability, reduced emissions, and support for continued solar adoption.

What is happening now

Western Power is currently assessing your feedback; an update will be provided in due course. 

The community engagement period closed on 4pm Friday, 4 July 2025.

More information

Who's listening

ContactWestern Power, Community Engagement Team
Phone08 9326 4850
Email

Community Engagement Team


Western Power Community Battery Program
What is a community battery?
A community battery is a shared energy storage system that helps manage electricity supply within a local area. It stores excess electricity, often from renewable sources during the day and distributes it when demand is high (in the evening).

These batteries help balance the grid, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and allow nearby households to benefit from stored renewable energy.
Where are the current community batteries located in Western Australia?
  1. City of Mandurah, Meadow Springs
  2. City of Mandurah, Falcon
  3. City of Swan, Ellenbrook #1 
  4. City of Swan, Ellenbrook #2
  5. City of Wanneroo, Two Rocks
  6. City of Wanneroo, Ashby
  7. City of Canning, Canning Vale
  8. City of Rockingham, Port Kennedy
  9. City of Stirling, Yokine
  10. City of Kwinana, Parmelia
  11. City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Kalgoorlie-Boulder
  12. City of Busselton, Vasse
  13. Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, Margaret River – behind the meter community battery (five year trial).
Why is Somerville Park being explored as a preferred location?
The location of a community battery is based on comprehensive data and modelling work and is determined by several factors. Some of these include the amount of solar being generated from customer rooftops in a particular area, the age of the infrastructure in that area and any local pressure on the transformers.
 
One of the primary considerations is ensuring the battery location provides optimal benefit to the community and the grid. As they are designed to smooth the power flow by soaking up excess solar energy, they ultimately improve the performance of the network for customers in that area.
 
Somerville Park  has been identified as the preferred location based on technical feasibility, local solar uptake, and electricity demand in the area.
Are community batteries safe in public places?
Yes, community batteries are safe in public places.

Western Power’s battery systems are designed and installed in full compliance with relevant regulations, including key Australian Standards such as:
  • AS/NZS 3000 – Wiring Rules
  • AS/NZS 4777 – Inverter Standard
  • AS/NZS 5139 – Battery Installation Standard.

The systems are also required to comply with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, which define allowable noise levels at various times of the day.

Western Power works closely with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to ensure all potential fire risks are thoroughly assessed and mitigated.
 
The battery systems meet both Australian and international safety standards and are installed in accordance with Western Power’s Technical Rules, as well as the relevant manuals and guidelines.

More about the guidelines and standards
What technology is inside the batteries?
The batteries contain Lithium Ion, which is the most common battery makeup with proven performance. They have a lifespan of 15+ years.
 
How can I find more information?

You can find out more via the Western Power website, or contact Western Power's Community Engagement team on 08 9326 4850.

Western Power 

Location

Project location
151 Somerville Blvd, Withrop WA Get Directions

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The City of Melville acknowledges the Bibbulmun people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which the City stands today and pays its respects to the Whadjuk people, and Elders both past and present.

City of Melville nagolik Bibbulmen Nyungar ally-maga milgebar gardukung naga boordjar-il narnga allidja yugow yeye wer ali kaanya Whadjack Nyungar wer netingar quadja wer burdik.