A new community battery in the township of Kimba will provide up to eight hours of back-up power and communications as part of a combined community resilience solution.
SA Power Networks will deliver the initiative in partnership with the District Council of Kimba.
The community battery will be installed at the Kimba District Football and Netball Clubrooms, addressing the needs of the community during extended power outages.
The battery is part of a statewide project, jointly funded by SA Power Networks and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
In total, the project will see the installation of eight batteries across regional South Australia, each with different use cases designed to enhance the resilience of local communities.
The battery at Kimba will provide a critical backup power source for the community hub, helping ensure its continued operation during long periods of power disruptions.
District Council of Kimba CEO, Deb Larwood, said the community is pleased to be working with SA Power Networks to improve the resilience of the community.
“The battery will provide much needed backup to this community hub during an extended period of power outage, helping Kimba stay connected and supported in times of need,” she said.
SA Power Networks Operations Manager for the Eyre Peninsula, Greg Eyers, said, “We want to make sure the local community has access to reliable energy, to mitigate the impacts of outages.”
“This partnership with Telstra and the District Council of Kimba reflects our shared goal to enhance the resilience of the township, offering peace of mind to the local community.”
Telecommunications during outages was raised as a priority by the local community and in addition to the community batteries, SA Power Networks and Telstra are collaborating to understand the appropriate back-up power needs for the community.
Telstra Regional General Manager for South Australia, Michael Patterson, said, “Telstra has a strong focus on building a more resilient network and our battery backup at key mobile sites servicing the Kimba area will help if the power is impacted.”
The installation of the community battery is expected to be completed toward the end of 2025 or early 2026. For more information on the project, including a Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions, visit Community Batteries Project Talking Power.
