Amp Energy says it has sealed a connection agreement for a new 300MWh big battery in South Australia that will be the foundation stone of a massive solar and storage hub in the state.
The deal between Amp, a global energy group backed by private investment firm Carlyle, said the deal for the 150MW, two hour (300MWh) Bungama battery has been signed with ElectraNet, which runs the high voltage transmission network in the state.
The Bungama battery is the first instalment of a planned $2 billion investment in a series of solar and storage projects across Bungama, near Port Pirie, Roberstown and Whyalla known as the Renewable Energy Hub of South Australia.
The plans include a total of 640MW of battery storage, with around two hours of storage, plus 1.4GW of large scale solar farms. The projects would easily propel South Australia beyond its target of net 100 per cent renewables, but are also likely to feed into Amp’s big green hydrogen plans.
Amp has also been named as the successful bidder to develop and build up to 5GW of hydrogen electrolyser capacity in the Cape Hardy Port Precinct over the next decade in the precinct, with a target of more than 5 million tons per annum of green ammonia.
“The Bungama BESS announcement emphasizes our commitment to the state of South Australia, towards its goal of achieving net zero emissions and 100% renewable energy generation by 2050,” said Dean Cooper, Head of Amp Australia.
The battery project has also entered into an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Agreement and benefit sharing with the Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation.
The project is expected to create up to 70 construction jobs for up to a year and 20 ongoing jobs during operations, and is due to be online by 2025. The other two big battery projects are expected to follow within 18 months.
State minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion said the Amp projects demonstrate the state’s global standing as a leader in the green energy sector. South Australia has been powered by a world-leading share of more than 70 per cent wind and solar over the last 12 months.
The Bungama battery joins a growing portfolio of big batteries in South Australia, including the Torrens Island, Hornsdale, Dalrymple South and Lake Bonney batteries.
Another battery at Tailem Bend, next to the solar farm of the same name, is awaiting commissioning, and the Blyth batter, which at 200MW and 400MWh will be the biggest in the state, has started construction.
Many others are in the pipeline. See RenewEconomy’s Big Battery Storage Map of Australia
Amp says its expansion in South Australia will include and leverage its AmpX’s digital energy platform, which it says can support grid flexibility, and can operate as a “virtual power plant” with real-time autonomous management and optimised dispatch.
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Construction begins on a big battery project next to the largest solar farm in Australia.