Funding secured for battery storage and solar at Wesley Hill Stadium
Published on 01 April 2025
On Monday 10 March, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio announced that Mount Alexander Shire Council has been successful in securing grant funding for a battery storage and solar PV installation at Wesley Hill Stadium in Castlemaine as part of round two of the Victorian Government’s $42 million 100 Neighbourhood Battery Program.
The project at Wesley Hill Stadium is being funded as part of a joint initiative led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance in partnership with 10 councils across regional Victoria.
Climate change and extreme weather events pose an increasing risk to electricity infrastructure in Mount Alexander Shire. Mount Alexander Shire has experienced multiple storm and flood events in recent years, resulting in extended grid outages. With extreme weather events in the region becoming more frequent, there is a growing need for the establishment of an energy resilient hub in the shire.
Following detailed feasibility and business case work undertaken in partnership with the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance in 2024, Wesley Hill Stadium was identified by Council as a suitable location for an energy resilience hub for the town and surrounding areas.
An energy backup system comprised of a 25kW / 50kWh battery and additional 15 kW solar PV system installed at Wesley Hill Stadium will future-proof this site as an energy resilient hub for residents of Castlemaine and surrounding areas to access in the event of an extended grid outage.
The proposed system is expected to provide up to two days backup power for critical power and lighting circuits from the battery alone, with capacity to charge from solar in island-mode to extended backup power duration if required.
This grant funding is an important step towards making Wesley Hill Stadium a more energy-efficient, resilient, and sustainable space for the community. Mount Alexander Shire Council is proud to be playing a leadership role in the facilitation of local energy solutions that create long-term environment and financial benefits and demonstrate a model for others to follow.
Batteries funded through the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program are helping Victoria reach its target of at least 2.6 GW of energy storage by 2030 and 6.3 GW by 2035.
Council is grateful to the Victorian Government for their support and looks forward to the successful completion of this project in 2026. Council would also like to acknowledge the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance for its support of sustainability initiatives in our region.
