Narrabri's Missed Opportunity: How a Council Decision Put Solar Storage on Standby
Well folks, it looks like Narrabri's exciting community battery project just hit a speed bump the size of a small mountain! Just when solar enthusiasts were getting ready to pop the champagne, the Narrabri Shire Council has decided to pump the brakes on a project that could have been a game-changer for local renewable energy.
The Battery That Almost Was
Picture this: a shiny new 500 kWh community battery system nestled in the Narrabri Town Hall car park, happily soaking up excess solar power during those sunny days (and boy, does Narrabri get plenty of those!). This battery wouldn't just sit there looking pretty—it would store all that solar goodness and release it back when needed, helping the local grid stay balanced and happy.
The best part? This solar-powered dream wouldn't cost the council a cent! The local non-profit Geni.Energy Limited had secured federal funding through the Community Batteries for Household Solar program and was all set to own and operate the system. Talk about a win-win situation!
So Close, Yet So Far
After negotiating since 2023 and even endorsing the terms in March this year, the council has suddenly decided to take a three-month timeout to address "concerns" about safety and financial benefit sharing. This despite representatives from Essential Energy, NJM Design, and battery manufacturer Evo Power all confirming the low risks associated with the system at the council meeting.
The result? A 5-2 vote to rescind the March endorsement and delay signing the license agreement.
Sally Hunter, Geni.Energy's Managing Director, didn't mince words: "It was a pretty disgraceful situation." But she did highlight the silver lining—overwhelming community support, with dozens of letters and calls flooding into the council offices.
Why This Matters for Narrabri's Solar Champions
Here's the kicker—Narrabri is already a solar powerhouse! With over 2,858 small-scale solar systems installed in the 2390 postcode area, generating a collective capacity of 14,196 kW, this community of around 7,600 people has embraced solar energy with open arms.
The community battery would have:
Allowed excess solar energy to be stored rather than wasted
Enabled more and larger rooftop solar installations throughout Narrabri
Created a local project fund with profits from the battery operation
Provided emergency power outlets during blackouts
Showcased cutting-edge lithium iron phosphate technology with comprehensive safety features
What's Next for Narrabri's Solar Dreams?
The clock is ticking on the funding agreement, and Geni.Energy—one of only two not-for-profits nationwide to receive federal funding in the 2023 round—now faces an uncertain path forward.
Sadly, this isn't the first time we've seen local governments put the brakes on electrification projects. Just recently, Queensland's Livingstone Shire Council delayed installing the first public EV charging stations on the Capricorn Coast after some questionable media coverage.