7143 (2026). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister for Energy

7143 (2026). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister for Energy: What assessment did he make of falling battery prices when deciding not to proceed with financial incentives for the uptake of batteries?

Hon Simon Watts: The Government’s work underway to support solar installations also aims to make battery installations easier and cheaper, and better reward consumers for using batteries to reduce their consumption or export power during peak periods. Battery uptake has increased significantly in the past 2 years, jumping from 4,000 solar installations with batteries attached in 2024 to over 14,000 in 2026 which is a 250 percent increase. Government actions that support battery uptake include: • In August 2025, EECA published best practice guidance, making more information available to support choice and better battery installations. • From November 2025, the electricity safety regulations have been updated to reference newer joint Australia and New Zealand standards for these products to support safer and easier battery installations; • From November 2025 we expanded the permitted voltage range for electricity networks to allow households and businesses with solar and batteries to export more electricity back to the grid and a number of networks have already raised their export limits in response; • From April 2026, networks will have to offer a rebate for electricity injected back into the grid, including from batteries, at peak times • From July 2026, retailers will have to offer time varying consumption and injection plans to consumers