At the start of March, Indigo Power marked an exciting milestone with the launch of two community batteries in North East Victoria, bringing clean energy, resilience, and community connection together in two iconic local locations: the historic Old Beechworth Gaol and Myrtleford’s McNamara Reserve.
These launches represent more than just new infrastructure; they highlight how locally embedded energy projects can strengthen communities, reduce costs, and support the transition to renewables in regional Australia.
BEECH01 | Heritage meets energy innovation
We celebrated the launch of the Beechworth Community Battery (BEECH01) at the Old Beechworth Gaol, one of North East Victoria’s most significant heritage sites. A special full-circle moment for Indigo Power, the Old Beechworth Gaol is Indigo Power’s very first customer and where nearly seven years ago, our people-powered journey began with a community solar installation.
Attendees included Indigo Power shareholders and community members, along with project partners and stakeholders including BankWAW, Pixii, AusNet, Indigo Shire Council, ACRE, and Totally Renewable Beechworth.
The project stands as a strong example of community-led energy in action, combining historical significance with forward-looking infrastructure that supports resilience, sustainability, and local participation in the energy transition.
Indigo Power Managing Director Benjamin McGowan said the project reflects what can be achieved when communities take ownership of their energy future. “This project shows what’s possible when communities take the lead on the issues that matter to them.
When we speak with rural communities about batteries, the conversation always comes back to resilience; having reliable backup storage when it’s needed most. The Beechworth Community Battery is a practical example of a community stepping up to meet its own needs.”
The system includes:
- 99 kW solar PV system
- 340 kWh battery storage
As part of Indigo Power’s broader rollout, the full fleet of seven community batteries is expected to reach 5 MWh of storage capacity: enough to support up to 2,000 retail customers.
Operating as a shared community asset, the Beechworth battery enables local households to access and benefit from locally generated renewable energy.
MYRT01 | Myrtleford Saints Community Day
Indigo Power officially launched the Myrtleford Community Battery as part of the vibrant Myrtleford Saints Community Day.
The event brought together players, families, and supporters for a joint junior-senior training session, an intra-club match, and a range of community activities. Special guests, including AFL player Tom Campbell and AFLW player Darcy Vescio representing Footy For Climate, helped make the evening a true celebration of community spirit.
Set at McNamara Reserve, home of the Myrtleford Alpine Saints Football and Netball Club, this installation marks the second battery delivered under Indigo Power’s $4.7 million regional energy resilience project, which will see seven community batteries rolled out across regional Victoria and southern New South Wales.
The initiative is backed by a $3.4 million funding commitment from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The Myrtleford site was selected following a detailed feasibility study across North East Victoria, identifying locations where community batteries could deliver the greatest benefit.
The system includes:
- 40 kW of rooftop solar
- 340 kWh battery storage
For Indigo Power, the project highlights how community energy infrastructure can deliver practical benefits for regional towns, and launching the battery during Community Day was a natural fit, recognising the vital role local sporting clubs play as hubs for connection, identity, and support in regional communities.
A growing network of community energy
Both the Myrtleford and Beechworth installations form part of a broader effort to build a distributed network of community batteries across regional Victoria and southern New South Wales.
These projects are designed to:
- Lower electricity costs for community facilities and households
- Enable greater use of locally generated renewable energy
- Strengthen community infrastructure and connection
- Improve energy resilience during outages
By embedding batteries in meaningful community locations, from sporting grounds to heritage landmarks, Indigo Power is ensuring the energy transition delivers real, local value.
Looking ahead
With more batteries to come under the regional rollout, Indigo Power continues to work alongside communities to deliver practical, place-based energy solutions.
The launches in Myrtleford and Beechworth highlight what’s possible when communities are placed at the centre of the energy transition, combining resilience, sustainability, and local benefit in one integrated approach.
Fran is our Marketing and Communications Manager. With a keen passion for creativity coupled with a strategic mindset, she is in charge of sharing our good news and great work with the Indigo Power community.