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Western Australian government-owned utility Synergy has commenced construction of its third grid-scale battery as the state government looks to ramp up energy storage capacity to support its planned transition from coal-fired power generation to renewables.
Construction has begun on the 500 MW/2,000 MWh Collie battery energy storage system in Western Australia’s (WA) southwest as the state moves towards emissions-free power generation in 2030.
Synergy said the four-hour battery energy storage system – scheduled for completion before the end of 2025 – will help to prepare the state’s power grid for the retirement of coal-fired power stations by improving system security and support increased renewable energy generation in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).
Western Australian Energy Minister Reece Whitby said the battery will absorb excess energy generated by rooftop PV systems when the sun is shining and discharge when demand for electricity peaks, usually in the evening.
“This is an exciting milestone for Western Australia’s decarbonization journey,” he said. “When complete, this battery will support reliability and more renewable energy on WA’s main electricity grid.”
Synergy is building the AUD 1.6 billion ($1.05 billion) Collie big battery approximately 200 kilometers southwest of state capital Perth, just north of the existing coal-fired Collie Power Station that is to be retired by 2027. The facility will connect to the SWIS via Western Power’s existing 330 kV Schotts Terminal.
Collie-based earthworks specialists Cardinal Contractors has been awarded the contract to complete site preparation earthworks for the battery facility, with up to 500 jobs expected to be created at the peak of construction. |
