In a significant step towards greener energy, Neoen, a leading global producer of renewable energy, is all set to construct its first long-duration battery in Western Australia. The project is being undertaken after Neoen won a contract for 197 MW capacity services from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
This important contract is for the South-West Interconnected System (SWIS) in Western Australia. The service will be facilitated by the first stage of the Collie Battery, which has an impressive size of 219 MW / 877 MWh. The project has already received approval for a total capacity of 1 GW / 4 GWh.
The service will be facilitated by the first phase of the Collie Battery, which measures 219 MW / 877 MWh in size and comprises 224 units of the Tesla Megapack 2XL units.
Construction of stage one of the Collie Battery will kick off soon, with Neoen already signaling the start to Tesla and UGL. The battery will significantly bolster the reliability and security of Western Australia’s electricity system. Notably, this marks Neoen’s first major venture in Western Australia, and its first 4-hour long-duration battery on a global scale.
The contract with AEMO will run for two years, starting from October 1, 2024. This project is of immense strategic importance as it aims to address the energy risks associated with the retirement of coal power plants and the high penetration of rooftop solar energy in Western Australia.
The Collie Battery project will be a massive boost for the local economy, creating over 120 construction jobs. It will also benefit the local community through an annual community benefit-sharing program.
This is the sixth big battery project of Neoen in Australia, reinforcing its position as the country’s leading developer, owner, and operator of batteries. It brings the total Australian storage assets of Neoen to over 1.1 GW, either in operation or under construction.
Louis de Sambucy, Neoen Australia’s CEO, expressed his delight over winning the contract and thanked AEMO, Western Power, and the WA Government for their trust. This project signifies Neoen’s increasing role in the state’s rapid decarbonization.
In the words of Xavier Barbaro, Neoen’s Chairman Chief Executive Officer, “This project perfectly demonstrates our ability to rapidly provide solutions to the market and we are thrilled to start delivering longer duration battery services. Neoen is incredibly proud to be one of the world’s true pioneers in battery storage, with a global portfolio of over 1.3 GW / 2.6 GWh, and to be making a major contribution towards a more sustainable energy future.”