ACT switches on its first big battery on path to full electrification

The ACT government has formally switched on its first big battery, describing it as a significant milestone as the capital territory – already providing the equivalent of 100 per cent of its electricity needs from wind and solar – marches on to full electrification.

The 10MW/20MWh Queanbeyan battery is one of at least two big batteries commissioned by the ACT government in its most recent renewables tender that will ensure it can meet the green energy needs of electric vehicles and the switch from gas to electric appliances in home and businesses.

The battery – which actually began operating in November – was built as part of a winning contract awarded by Global Power Generation, a subsidiary of Spanish energy giant Naturgy, to build the 1-7MW Berrybank 2 wind farm in Victoria’s Western Plains.

In the same auction, Neoen was awarded a contract to build a 50MW/100MWh – it has since expanded this to 100MW and 200MWh – as well as an off-take agreement for part of the first stage of the Goyder South wind complex in South Australia.

Chief minister and minister for climate ac ion Andrew Barr said Canberra has attracted more than $2 billion dollars of investment in large-scale wind and solar infrastructure across Australia, and more than $500 million dollars of investment directly into the Canberra region.

“This battery is a significant first for the city, given energy storage and battery technology are a critical component of our zero emissions future,” he said at the opening ceremony in the Canberra suburb off Beard.

“We have even more battery storage on the horizon for the ACT, with a further 250 MW of grid-scale and neighbourhood batteries to be installed in the coming years as part of our Big Canberra Battery Project.”

The ACT minister for energy Shane Rattenbury said more renewables and storage was needed to support the ACT’s transition away from fossil fuels.

“The ACT continues to be a leader in Australia and the world in our response to climate change and our renewable energy ambition,” he said.

“From the petrol in our cars to the gas cooktops, hot-water systems and heating in our homes, fossil fuels make up a significant proportion of the energy mix in the ACT. As we transition away from fossil fuels, demand for electricity is going to increase.

“Energy storage and battery technology is a critical component of the city’s zero-emissions future as we move towards electrification, so that the ACT continues to benefit from a secure, reliable and affordable energy network.

GPG is planning to spend more than €2 billion to reach a total of 2.2GW of installed wind, solar and storage in Australia by 2025.

It already operates the 96MW Crookwell 2 wind farm in NSW, and the 180MW Berrybank 1 wind farm in Victoria, with Berrybank 2 wind farm currently under commissioning, and another 630MW of wind projects including the Ryan Corner, Hawkesdale, Crookwell 3 and Paling Yards wind farms.

“The launch of commercial operation of this facility represents an important step in strengthening our contribution to the energy transition,” GPG’s chief business development oficer, Pedro Serrano said in a statement.