WA is expanding its household battery rebate scheme.
The state is running a $337 million initiative to increase distributed energy storage, integrating into broader network planning and grid reliability frameworks.
From 1 July, up to 100,000 households will be eligible for rebates and no-interest loans to install behind-the-meter battery storage systems, under a joint program backed by the Cook and Albanese governments.
Synergy customers can access up to $5,000, while Horizon Power customers in regional and remote areas are eligible for up to $7,500. Households earning under $210,000 may also apply for zero-interest loans of up to $10,000.
The expanded program folds into the Commonwealth’s $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries initiative, significantly scaling WA’s original scheme to target five times as many installations.
Key technical considerations include the integration of these systems into emerging Virtual Power Plant (VPP) models, with the state planning to offer “attractive” feed-in tariffs for energy exported from batteries.
The VPP framework is expected to support peak shaving, frequency control, and broader grid resilience, particularly as WA continues to decommission fossil-fuel assets and expand renewables.
VPP participation will have to be managed across the Synergy and Horizon Power networks, including interoperability standards, aggregation platforms, and consumer protections.
The WA government has flagged potential links to local battery manufacturing.
The scheme’s cost-saving claims – up to $1,500 per household annually – are likely based on bundled solar and storage installations. Actual performance will vary based on consumption patterns, battery size, and VPP participation rates.
More information is expected when applications open on 1 July.