15 April 2025
South Australia's Virtual Power Plant (SA VPP) has continued its multi award-winning streak, securing two prestigious accolades.
The project was recognised at the National Urban Design Institute of Australia's Awards recently, receiving the award for Best Social and Community Infrastructure.
Shortly afterward, it earned the Leadership in Energy Equity Award at the inaugural Climate Council Choice Awards.
Launched in 2018, SA VPP significantly reduces energy costs for social housing tenants while bolstering the state's electricity grid.
The initiative includes battery systems with or without rooftop solar, all working together as a single power plant. This model of decentralised community-generated energy – combining solar and battery storage with smart technologies – enables two-way power flow, supporting the grid and delivering shared benefits.
Close to 7,000 households currently benefit from the program, enjoying the cheapest electricity rates in the state.
This recognition underscores the critical role SA VPP plays in the future of distributed energy resources. The project stands as the largest VPP in Australia and a model for similar initiatives worldwide, with social housing tenants sharing an estimated $3.5 million in power bill savings in 2024 alone.
The success of SA VPP has also paved the way for additional benefits to social tenants, including the establishment of two emPoweringSA community batteries at Magill and Edwardstown.
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