EDP, through EDP Renewables Australia, has been awarded AUD$3 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop the Braidwood Renewable Microgrid Project. The Braidwood Renewable Microgrid Project in New South Wales is a community-focused microgrid pilot designed to strengthen long-term energy resilience for Australia.

This project provides energy security for local communities located on a vulnerable section of the national electricity network, where damage to distribution lines can cause prolonged power outages. When deployed by EDP Renewables Australia, the ARENA-funded microgrid will enable the community to maintain power if grid connection is lost, keeping essential services running while repairs are underway.

Once successfully demonstrated in Braidwood, the microgrid solution could provide the basis for replication in areas where the grid is vulnerable to unplanned outages. Initiated in response to the 2019-20 “Black Summer” bushfire crisis, the project addresses the critical energy resilience challenges exposed during extreme weather events.

Developed in collaboration with local community group Braidwood Clean Energy, the facility comprises a town scale 5MWac of solar capacity and a 5MW/10MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

Central to its design is the “island-mode” capability, which allows the system to safely disconnect from a compromised national grid and operate autonomously as a self-sustaining local microgrid. This operational flexibility ensures a secure, continuous energy supply when the connection to the grid is disrupted.

The initiative is among the first projects funded under Stream A (Regional Australia Microgrid Pilots) of the ARENA Regional Microgrids Program. The grant funding will support the reduction of technical, commercial, and regulatory barriers for future developments. This includes the investigation and resolution of operational protocols, commercial agreements and regulatory approvals.

Under standard operating conditions, energy generated by the system will be exported to the national grid and is anticipated to offset approximately 7,537 tCO2e per year*. During extreme weather events, the system will pivot, if necessary, to supply the local Braidwood community and the nearby township of Majors Creek with the energy they need.

“Projects like Braidwood show how renewable energy and storage can be configured to keep communities powered during grid disruptions. Through ARENA’s Regional Microgrids Program, we’re supporting solutions that not only improve resilience locally, but also provide a model that can be applied in other communities across Australia facing similar risks,” commented Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA.

“Braidwood Clean Energy was established in 2019 to promote energy efficiency and solar energy for the region. Braidwood and its surrounding villages and farms are innovative, progressive and optimistic about the future. When we learned of possible funding to develop a modern approach to energy security, we formed a partnership with EDP Renewables Australia to help make it happen. This ‘island-able’ solar-generated power supply will demonstrate that Braidwood can be both historic and futuristic in a way that other towns will surely follow,” commented Paul Cockram, President of Braidwood Clean Energy.

“Our commitment to the local community is at the heart of this project. We are grateful to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, Minister for Emergency Management and local member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain, and the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council for their vital support in the project’s development. Together, we are not just safeguarding the local community from severe grid disruptions, we are also setting a new standard for Australia’s energy transition,” said Simon Franklin, Australia Country Director, EDP Renewables APAC.

EDP Renewables Australia is also committed to working closely with Braidwood Clean Energy to establish an effective benefit-sharing framework for the local community. The project’s Development Application (DA) was lodged in March 2026 and is currently under review. If approved, construction works are scheduled to commence during the first quarter of 2027, with commissioning scheduled for February 2028.

About Braidwood Clean Energy

Braidwood Clean Energy (BCE) is a not-for-profit community-based Association in NSW Australia. It was formed by volunteers wanting to see a greater transition to renewables within its district. BCE is collaborating with EDP Renewables Australia to build a town scale 5MWac (7MWp) solar farm and 5MW/10MWh battery (microgrid) near Braidwood.

About EDP Renewables Australia

(EDP stands for ‘Energias de Portugal’)

EDP Renewables Australia aims to accelerate Australia’s energy transition through integrated technologies, local partnerships, and the expertise of EDP as a leading global energy company. Recognised by S&P Global CSA as one of the most sustainable electric utilities in the world, EDP has over 32.8 GW of generation assets under operation and is committed to driving the planet towards a more sustainable and decarbonised future.