Australia's Energy Minister Considers Cuts to Cheaper Home Batteries Program Amid Cost Blowouts
Australia's Energy Minister Chris Bowen is reviewing the Cheaper Home Batteries program, which has experienced budget overruns exceeding $11 billion due to high uptake. The program offers rebates of over 30% for solar battery installations but has faced criticism for benefiting wealthier households.
Proposed adjustments include lowering the eligible battery sizes and rebate amounts. Since its launch in July, over 250,000 batteries have been installed, contributing to Labor's goal of achieving 82% renewable energy in the power grid by 2030. Concerns about cost control and safety have arisen, particularly regarding oversized batteries that exploit subsidy structures, leading to significant budget strains.
