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Energy backup systems
An energy backup system consists of solar PV, battery storage and generators managed by a smart controllers that allows a property to have power during a power outages.
The Victorian Government has supported the installation of energy backup systems at community hubs in 27 towns, which consists of:
- energy resilience solutions in 24 towns
- Community Microgrid and Sustainable Energy Program projects in 3 towns.
During power outages, residents can use these hubs to access information, hot water, and device charging.
If you are experiencing a prolonged power outage, and it is safe to stay in your town, reach out to your local council to see if your nearest community hub is open.
If you are not sure if it is safe to stay in your town, please visit Vic Emergency for more details.
Towns with a community hub featuring a Victorian Government funded energy backup system can be found below.
Community hubs
| Local government area | Town |
|---|---|
| Cardinia Shire |
Cockatoo Emerald Gembrook |
| City of Greater Bendigo | Heathcote |
| Colac Otway Shire | Apollo Bay |
| Corangamite Shire | Port Cambell |
| East Gippsland Shire |
Mallacoota Omeo |
| Hepburn Shire |
Daylesford Trentham |
| Macedon Ranges Shire | Lancefield |
| Moorabool Shire | Blackwood |
| Mornington Peninsula Shire |
Balnarring Flinders Red Hill |
| Moyne Shire |
Mortlake Port Fairy |
| Nillumbik Shire | St Andrews |
| Surf Coast Shire | Lorne |
| Towong Shire | Corryong |
| Wellington Shire | Loch Sport |
| Yarra Ranges Shire |
Healesville Monbulk Mount Dandenong Olinda Sassafras Warburton |
Energy backup systems
2025 Energy resilience funding
A ‘Delivering energy resilience’ Stream has been added to the 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program for Round 2 and forthcoming final Round 3.
Past funding programs
Community Microgrid and Sustainable Energy Program
How the microgrids and energy backup systems are helping the communities of Corryong, Mallacoota and Omeo.
Energy resilience funding delivered in 2022
In response to the June and October 2021 storms resulting in prolonged power outages, DEECA funded studies to explore energy resilience solutions for affected towns.
These solutions included:
- energy backup systems (rooftop solar, batteries, generators) for essential services and community hubs
- larger town-scale energy solutions known as a microgrid.
$7.5 million was allocated for now complete energy backup systems at key community facilities in 24 towns.
For more information on the other recommended responses to the 2021 storms, see the Electricity Distribution Network Resilience Review Report.
Empowering rural communities through resilient energy solutions in 2020
After the extreme 2019–20 fire season, towns across Gippsland and the state’s North-east were disconnected from the electricity network. A study explored resilient energy infrastructure options to help communities during severe weather events.
The Community Microgrid and Sustainable Energy Program was announced in May 2021 with $9.85 million allocated by the Victorian Government and a further $7.5 million from AusNet Services. It has supported the installation of a mix of solar, batteries and other distributed energy resources for a range of buildings. These include essential service buildings, commercial and industrial buildings and households. The energy backup systems provide a reliable power supply and build energy-resilient rural communities.
In Mallacoota, funding delivered an advanced microgrid using solar panels, batteries and generators on essential service and local business buildings coupled with residents receiving hot water heat pumps to reduce energy use. An increase to the size of the town’s diesel generator also occurred to provide up to 5 days of backup power when the town becomes isolated from the grid.
In Omeo and Corryong, the funding provided energy backup systems for essential services and local business buildings consisting of solar PV, batteries and generators. Residents also received solar PV and battery energy backup systems.
The microgrids and energy backup systems will provide crucial backup power in the event of a power outage caused by a bushfire.
Find out more
- DEECA Microgrids web page
- Visit Engage Victoria for community consultation information.
Page last updated: 22/04/25