South Australia’s biggest battery set for construction following “milestone” approval

Construction of what will be South Australia’s biggest battery – and one of the largest in the country – will get underway towards the end of 2024, after the huge project was given the all clear by the state government.

UK energy storage developer Pacific Green said on Wednesday that it had achieved planning consent for the 500MW, 1500MWh Limestone Coast Energy Project in the state’s south east, near the border with Victoria.

Pacific Green Australia says the battery energy storage system will be developed and built in two phases over the coming 36 months, with the first phase expected to be operational in the second half of 2026.

“This is a major milestone for the Limestone Coast Energy Park assets, and we are pleased that the South Australian government has recognised the rigorous assessment and community consultation work we have undertaken to date,” said Pacific Green chief Joel Alexander.

“We look forward to re-engaging with the local community to maximise the tangible economic benefits of the Limestone Coast Energy Parks and to ensure funding and local contracting opportunities are open to all relevant groups.”

The company says it has launched a supplier portal and will host a local supplier networking morning in the coming weeks.

Pacific Green first announced its plans for the Limestone Coast Energy Park in November of last year, after securing exclusive rights to a strategically located site across from an existing substation that feeds into the Heywood Interconnector, that links South Australia and Victoria.

The idea is for the battery to charge and discharge excess renewable energy to and from Victoria, via its access to the interconnector, while also strengthening grid stability in renewables heavy South Australia.

“Our Limestone Coast Battery Energy Park can act as a load during the day, increasing the viability of even more solar and wind generation, whilst shifting energy to the times it is most valuable in the evening peak,” said Alexander, at the time.

“This momentum allows us to accelerate progress towards South Australia achieving 100% net renewables by 2030.”

The speed of the project’s approval suggests the state Labor government agrees.

“It’s encouraging to see more private sector investment in energy storage,” said South Australia energy minister Tom Koutasantonis in a statement on Wednesday.

“An increase in storage will provide greater capacity at peak times, extending the availability of electricity generated by cheap renewables.

“It’s also particularly pleasing that Pacific Green has chosen the South East of South Australia for its project – greater diversity of storage locations will strengthen our security of supply and reliability.”

Pacific Green had its start in the marine industry developing and installing technology to scrub carbon from shipping emissions. It has also dabbled in concentrated solar technologies and in 2021 moved into energy storage in a strategic partnership with battery supplier Shanghai Electric.

The company says it expects this project approval to be the first of many in Australia as part of its plans to build out an 8.5GWh energy storage pipeline across the country.

A second development, proposed for Portland in Victoria, currently sized at 1GW/2.5GWh is said to have project rights already secured and development approval expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024.

“Australia is witnessing one of the world’s fastest growth renewable energy markets, so it is critical that battery energy storage grows at the same pace to support the grid,” said Pacific Green chair Scott Poulter.