SHASA and Micro Energy Systems Australia (MESA) have combined to encourage more than 20 per cent of the Shire's households to have solar energy, and now SHASA will look into creating community-scale energy systems (microgrids) with community batteries and solar power systems that would function in isolation if the power grid went down.

"Our Eurobodalla community is one of many regional communities whose vulnerability to bushfires and power outages, which was demonstrated tragically in the Black Summer of 2019-20," SHASA president Kathryn Maxwell said.

"We've wanted to find a solution to this power vulnerability and have been looking at ways to do this over several years, even before the fires.

"The solutions have been limited by the complexity of the existing power grids, and the lack of funding to make microgrids happen."

In January this year, SHASA saw a Federal Government grant opportunity where applications were invited for feasibility studies into microgrids across Australia.

A SHASA spokesperson said the organisation approached the Australian National University (ANU) to partner in applying for this grant to improve the reliability and resilience of power across the Eurobodalla.

"ANU had done previous work in community battery storage so could bring that expertise to our partnership," the spokesperson said.

"Essential Energy was invited to join us as they are key players in the power grid and could ensure the feasibility study would result in effective solutions to our ongoing grid challenges.

"Zepben are another partner who joined up too as they can help withvback end technology solutions in bringing the microgrid solution to fruition."

The spokesperson said SHASA would concentrate on the "most fragile power grids" in the Shire.

"It was decided to select 16 towns as options for a feasibility study," they said.

"Eight towns would then be chosen and further studied to develop the technical, social and economic business case for a microgrid for each of their situations.

"Within the short application timeframe, SHASA engaged with the Eurobodalla community and secured supporting letters from five Chambers of Commerce, 17 community organisations, and nine businesses.

"848 people also signed our online community petition to support our application for the microgrid feasibility study."

The grant process was successful, as SHASA received $3.1 million during funding announced by Minister Angus Taylor on July 27.

"This has never been done before in Australia at this scale although other microgrids are under development elsewhere," the SHASA spokesperson said.

"SHASA will liaise with other community groups working on microgrids and will share our learnings with others."

The 16 towns that SHASA may run feasibility studies in are Tilba Tilba, Central Tilba, Mogo, Nelligen, Bodalla, Congo/Meringo, Potato Point, Turlinjah, Nerrigundah, Moruya Heads, South Durras, Mystery Bay, Broulee, Tomakin, Mossy Point, and Tuross Head.