The Australian Capital Territory Government has awarded Neoen a 14-year contract to supply 100MW of wind energy from Stage 1 of its Goyder Renewables Zone as part of the government’s renewables auction.
Under the new contract, the ACT will be supplied from Stage 1 of the Goyder wind farm, part of Neoen’s Goyder Renewables Zone in South Australia. Goyder will leverage the exceptional wind and solar renewable resources of the area and deliver a significant economic boost to the local community. Goyder continues to proceed through its formal development approval process and is expected to commence construction in 2022 for the first stage.
As part of the tender selection process, Neoen also committed to build a battery storage facility with a capacity of at least 50MW in the nation’s capital to support and stabilise ACT’s electricity grid. The battery will be open to community co-investment, providing residents of the ACT with an opportunity to become financial stakeholders in the project.
The contract comes as part of the ACT’s internationally recognised 100 per cent renewable electricity jurisdiction, focused on reaching net zero emissions by 2045. This also marks Neoen’s fourth ACT Government contract since winning the ACT’s first wind auction in 2015.
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability for the ACT, Shane Rattenbury, said the new contract will help the ACT continue its support of renewable energy and the additional battery will assist the ACT to avoid blackouts during peak demand.
“The ACT has been an Australian leader in being powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity and we are using reverse auctions like this to make sure we continue this as our city expands and our power consumption increases.
“The batteries will also help support the territory’s own grid, particularly providing power to help avoid blackouts during periods of high demand and when large fossil fuel generators fail in heatwave conditions.”
Alongside the new contract, Neoen has committed to delivering a range of local industry development initiatives. Building on its existing partnership with Canberra Institute of Technology’s Renewable Energy Skills Centre of Excellence, Neoen will co-develop programs in cyber security for renewables, Indigenous land care and hydrogen. Work will also commence with the Australian National University (ANU) on an industry-leading research project focused on grid-scale battery performance optimisation, as well as a feasibility study for a solar panel and/or battery recycling facility.
Neoen Australia’s Managing Director, Louis de Sambucy, said Neoen was looking forward to continuing its role in helping the ACT reach its renewable electricity target and boosting the South Australian economy through the Goyder Renewable Zone.
“We are delighted to have been awarded another highly prized long-term contract with the ACT Government, and we are proud to be playing such a major role in helping the nation’s capital maintain its 100 per cent renewable electricity target,” Mr de Sambucy said.
“With over half of Neoen’s team working from our Canberra office, it is a ‘home win’ and we look forward to deepening our commitment and contribution to the ACT’s energy system and inviting the community to invest alongside us.
“The Goyder Renewables Zone that supports this contract is a landmark project that will not only provide a significant boost to the South Australian economy but will also allow all Canberrans to benefit from clean, reliable and affordable electricity.”
