The Federal Government has unveiled plans to invest $100 million in two regional big batteries and a solar farm, aiming to provide power for 160,000 homes across Australia. This initiative forms part of the government’s Reliable Renewables Plan.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is committing the funds to Neoen to facilitate the establishment of 1.3GW of renewable energy alongside battery storage, featuring three new projects throughout the nation.
Key Projects Announced
The initiatives include the Collie Battery Stage 2, which is set to enhance the Western Australian energy grid, and the Western Downs Battery Stage 1 located in Queensland, intended to feed additional renewable energy into the National Electricity Market (NEM). Additionally, the Culcairn Solar Farm in the southwest of New South Wales is part of this upgrade.
Neoen has already initiated operations at Collie Battery Stage 1, which launched ahead of schedule, taking less than 18 months to complete. This initial battery can store energy for four hours, soaking up solar power during the day and releasing it during the peak of evening demand.
When combined, the Collie Battery Stage 1 and the forthcoming Stage 2 are expected to have the capacity to manage 20 per cent of the average demand in the southwest grid of Western Australia.
Job Creation and Economic Benefits
According to the Federal Government, the construction of Collie Battery Stage 2 is anticipated to generate 150 jobs. Moreover, the Western Downs Battery Stage 1, situated near Chinchilla in Queensland, will utilise advanced technology to connect with Australia’s national electricity grid, enhancing energy reliability during peak evening usage.
On completion, the Culcairn Solar Farm is projected to produce enough energy to serve more than double the households in the Riverina region of New South Wales. Currently under construction, the solar farm is creating over 400 construction jobs and will contribute $300,000 annually in community benefit-sharing, with operations slated to commence in 2026.
Government’s Vision for Renewable Energy
Chris Bowen, the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, stated that the government is leveraging Australia’s largest green bank to invest in dependable renewable energy, ensuring the nation’s energy grid becomes clean, affordable, and secure.
Bowen remarked, “This latest partnership with Neoen will see three regional communities benefiting from increased job opportunities and local economic activities, while our electricity system efficiently stores the plentiful solar and wind energy during the day for evening use.”
Josh Wilson, the Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, highlighted that the expansion of the Collie Battery Energy Storage System would create additional jobs and cater to 20 per cent of the evening peak demand for the Western Australian energy grid, including Perth.
Wilson also pointed out that in just two years, the Federal Government has overseen a 25 per cent rise in renewable energy generation and is committed to deploying large-scale batteries to support the clean and inexpensive energy Australians expect.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is backing over 2.3GW of new battery capacity across nine projects nationwide, along with more than 6.2GW in clean energy generation.