Australia (Commonwealth)_I have some exciting news to share about Australia’s renewable energy landscape. Neoen, a leading French clean energy company, is making a big bet on Australia by constructing a massive battery in Western Australia’s coal heartlands. The battery, which will be built in stages, is set to have a capacity of 1 gigawatt and a duration of four hours once fully completed. Located in Collie, a town south of Perth known for its coal-fired power industry, this project is a significant step towards transitioning from traditional power sources to renewable energy. The first stage of the battery, with a capacity of 219 megawatts and a duration of 877 megawatt hours, is expected to be operational by the end of next year.
While Neoen hasn’t disclosed the full cost of the project, estimates suggest it could reach around $2 billion. This investment demonstrates Neoen’s commitment to Australia’s renewable energy sector and its confidence in the potential of batteries to replace retiring coal-fired power stations. Nathan Ling, the Head of Neoen’s operations in Western Australia, explained the crucial role batteries play in the energy market. Although they’re not a direct substitute for base-load power plants, batteries can help “smooth” the electricity supply by storing excess renewable energy during times of surplus and redistributing it during periods of high demand.
The approval for this project came from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), which runs the power market in Western Australia. Collaborators on the project include Tesla, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer, and battery supplier, and UGL, an engineering company.
Neoen’s Collie battery marks its first venture west of the Nullarbor, but the company already operates one of Australia’s largest collections of major batteries. One of their notable projects is the Hornsdale battery, a 150-megawatt facility located north of Adelaide, which was the country’s first of its kind when it was built in 2016.
Nathan Ling also hinted at future opportunities for Neoen in Western Australia and across the country. While deep storage technologies like pumped hydro plants are not currently in their plans, he emphasized the rapid advancements in battery technology, which are making it increasingly capable of meeting the electricity system’s needs.
Daniel Westerman, CEO of AEMO, praised Neoen’s project and highlighted the importance of “firming” projects like this as Australia transitions away from fossil fuel-based generators to clean energy sources. Neoen’s battery will provide energy security and reliability during this transition, supporting the growth of renewable energy.
The president of Collie’s Shire, Sarah Stanley, expressed her pride in the town’s heritage of powering the state. She sees renewable energy infrastructure, including Neoen’s battery, as crucial for attracting sustainable industries and providing employment opportunities for future generations.
This ambitious battery project signifies a major milestone in Australia’s renewable energy journey, fostering the country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embracing clean power alternatives. With technological advancements and continued innovation, battery storage is set to play a vital role in securing the stability and sustainability of our energy systems.
Exciting times lie ahead as Neoen’s battery project takes shape, bringing us closer to a greener and more sustainable future.
