Western Australia contracts 2.8GWh battery storage
Kwinana battery. Image courtesy Synergy
Western Australia’s Government has awarded more than AU$1 billion ($646.8 million) in contracts to deliver the new battery energy storage systems in Kwinana and Collie, together totalling 2.8GWh in storage capacity.
China-based Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) has been contracted to supply 300 EnerC Plus, containerised liquid-cooling battery systems for Kwinana Battery Stage Two, and about 650 EnerC Plus for Collie.
Additionally, US-based Power Electronics will deliver 72 inverters for the Kwinana battery and 160 inverters for the Collie battery.
Kwinana Battery Stage Two will provide 200MW of power with 800MWh of energy storage. Construction started on Kwinana Battery Stage Two in June and is estimated for completion at the end of 2024.
The Collie battery will be the biggest in Western Australia (WA) providing 500MW with 2,000MWh of storage.
The battery will be used to connect renewable energy to the grid, storing wind and solar generated during the day and alleviating congestion stress at periods of peak demand on the power system.
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The battery contracts are part of the Cook Government’s AU$2.8 billion ($1.8 billion) budget commitment to delivering renewable energy projects.
According to a joint press release from the WA Government and Australian electricity generation and retail corporation Synergy, the financing constitutes one of the largest renewable energy contracts in the country’s history.
Commented Australian Energy Minister Bill Johnston: “Contemporary Amperex Technology is a global leader of new energy innovative technologies (…) Power Electronics is a leading manufacturer of inverters for photovoltaic plants and battery applications and a world leader in energy storage.
“I would like to congratulate Synergy for securing these important partnerships, setting WA apart as a leader in the global energy transition.”
Added Premier Roger Cook: “These contracts, worth more than [AU]$1 billion, represent a major and important investment by our Government into WA’s cleaner, reliable and affordable energy future.
“Battery energy storage systems will play a key role in our decarbonisation plans, storing excess renewable energy generated in the day and discharging during times of high demand.”
