Applications for expressions of interest in the two-stage tender for Canberra’s first community-scale battery in the developing Gungahlin suburb of Jacka are now open.

Part of the ACT Government’s plan to grow the Territory’s renewable energy storage sector, if the battery is successful, it would allow future Jacka residents to access stored renewable energy and be less reliant on fossil fuels.

ACT Minister for Housing and Suburban Development Yvette Berry said: “The ACT has become a nation leader on climate action, and now we are making it as easy as possible for Canberra households to benefit from the shift to a low-emission technology.

“Building Jacka – one of Canberra’s newest suburbs – as an all-electric, solar-powered suburb, will save residents money and set the example of how our future suburbs will be powered.”

According to the ACT Government, the renewable energy source will be available to the approximately 700 single residential and multi-unit homes and local centre still to be developed.

Expressions of interest applications are open until 2pm on Tuesday 17 January 2023. More information is available at tenders.act.gov.au

Will Jacka be the ACT’s most renewable suburb?

Jacka, a fairly new suburb in northern Gungahlin, will be one of Canberra’s newest all-electric suburbs, according to the ACT Suburban Land Agency (SLA).

The community-scale battery storage system would be the latest in a slew of renewable and sustainable initiatives within the suburb. All residents and multi-unit building owners will be encouraged to have rooftop solar in order to generate their own renewable energy.

In line with the ACT Government’s Indicative Land Release Program, up to 400 dwellings are planned for release in Jacka during 2022-23.

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