Synergy gets approval for second big battery, starts promoting Collie giant

The state government owned utility Synergy has won planning approval for a much larger second stage of its first big battery to be located at the site of its former gas-fired power station in Kwinana.

The first stage of the Kwinana battery – sized at 100MW with two hours storage (200MWh) – began operations last month, the first such installation on the state’s main grid.

The second stage of the battery, Kwinana 2, will be four times the size – at 200MW and four hours storage (800MWh). It will then be trumped by an even installation at Collie, sized at 500MW and four storage storage (2,000MWh).

A Synergy spokesperson said the Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) had given planning approval on Monday (May 29) for its second Battery Energy Storage System in Kwinana (KBESS2).

The spokesperson said Synergy is currently engaging suppliers and securing long lead time items for the next stage of the project. Once finalised, Synergy plans for construction to start later this year.

Meanwhile, Synergy has also begun community information sessions about the proposed Collie Battery Energy Storage System (CBESS), which will be built in the town that hosts the last of the state-owned coal generators that are to be closed before the end of the decade.

The first community session was held last Wednesday (May 24), and was described as an opportunity to learn more about the proposed battery, what it does, and where it will be built.