A new residential development north of Sydney could set an exciting precedent with the possibility of the entire community being built off the power grid.
Huntlee will be the first new town in the Hunter Valley in 50 years and will house 20,000 new residents in 7,500 homes.
Brookfield Energy Australia (Brookfield) is examining the business case for Huntlee, developed by LWP Property Group, to forgo grid connection and be powered by renewable energy, battery storage and enabling technologies.
As renewable energy and battery storage become cheaper, the case for building new suburbs independent to the grid will continue to become stronger.
The Australian Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, is providing $440,000 support towards the $1.1 million work to examine the benefits and barriers to energy independent suburbs.
It would be the first time in Australia that a new suburb near existing infrastructure relied solely on renewable energy and enabling technologies, if Brookfield successfully makes the case and the developer decides to go ahead with the option.
I congratulate those involved and look forward to seeing the outcome of the project next year.
(ENDS)