MEDIA RELEASE: 250,000 Cheaper Home Batteries powering the suburbs, rural and regional Australia

MEDIA RELEASE: 250,000 Cheaper Home Batteries powering the suburbs, rural and regional Australia Main Image

01 March 2026

More than a quarter of a million households, small businesses and community organisations have now installed a bill busting battery under the Albanese Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries program, with around half of those installing new or upgraded solar systems at the same time.

Batteries help households store the cheaper, cleaner energy they generate during the day, and use it at night. That means less reliance on peak prices, a more reliable grid and putting downward pressure on prices for everyone.

New postcode-level data shows the clean energy upgrade is being led by the outer suburbs and by rural and regional communities, not the inner-city. Around 77 per cent of uptake has occurred in these regional and outer-suburban areas.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the results reflected what households were telling them right across the country; people want to cut their power bills, get more value from their solar, and take control of their energy use.

The data shows strongest uptake across family suburbs, outer metro growth areas, and towns and regions where households are already leading the way on rooftop solar.

 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen

“This is what the clean energy transformation looks like when it is working for Australians. It is practical, it is household-focused, and it is being led by the suburbs and the regions.

“Cheaper Home Batteries are helping families cut power bills and get more value from their solar. The postcode data makes it clear, this is not an inner-city story, it is a national story.

“The Coalition want to slow down cheaper renewables and keep people stuck with higher bills. Labor is getting on with the job, cleaner, cheaper, reliable energy for every community.”

 

Quotes attributable to Fiona Phillips MP, Member for Gilmore

“In Gilmore, 2414 families and local businesses are embracing energy upgrades that save them money and make their homes and businesses more energy efficient.

“These results show our community is getting on with it, taking up batteries and backing a cleaner energy future that is made from Australia’s abundant renewable resources.

“People here don’t want slogans. They want bills that are easier to pay, and a plan that delivers. That is exactly what this program is doing.”

 

Top Suburbs in Gilmore

POSTCODE

SUBURBS

CHEAPER HOME BATTERIES

2540

Sanctuary Point, Worrigee, Sussex Inlet, Vincentia, St Georges Basin, Culburra Beach, Nowra Hill, Callala Bay, Basin View

721

2533

Kiama, Kiama Downs, Jamberoo, Kiama Heights, Minnamurra, Curramore (NSW), Bombo, Jerrara, Saddleback Mountain

335

2541

Nowra, Bomaderry, North Nowra, South Nowra, West Nowra, Bangalee (NSW)

288

2539

Ulladulla, Mollymook Beach, Burrill Lake, Narrawallee, Mollymook, Bawley Point, Lake Conjola, Manyana, Lake Tabourie

281

2536

Catalina, Malua Bay, Batehaven, Surf Beach (NSW), Long Beach, Batemans Bay, Surfside, Sunshine Bay, North Batemans Bay

257

2535

Shoalhaven Heads, Berry, Jaspers Brush, Coolangatta (NSW), Far Meadow, Broughton Vale, Bellawongarah, Woodhill (NSW), Back Forest

159

2534

Gerringong, Gerroa, Werri Beach, Foxground, Broughton Village, Toolijooa, Rose Valley (Kiama - NSW), Willow Vale (Kiama - NSW)

105

2537

Moruya, Tuross Head, Broulee, Tomakin, Moruya Heads, Mossy Point, Congo, Mogendoura, Bingie

83