Neoen has marked the start of construction on its 100MW/200MWh Capital Battery, located next to TransGrid’s Queanbeyan substation in the Australian Capital Territory.
Neoen committed to building a 50MW large-scale battery in the nation’s capital as part of its winning bid in the ACT Government’s 2020 renewable energy auction, in which it was awarded a 14-year contract to supply 100MW of wind energy from Stage 1 of Goyder Renewables Zone.
In response to the emerging market for battery services, Neoen has decided to increase the size of the Capital Battery to 100MW/200MWh.
Early construction works have commenced with the battery expected to start operating in the first half of 2023.
The investment is designed to help modernise and stabilise the ACT grid with the battery capable of performing multiple roles, including firming renewables, providing frequency services and transmission network support.
In line with Neoen’s develop-to-own business model, the company will be the long-term owner and operator of the project, and once operational, will launch a Community Co-investment Scheme, providing residents of the ACT and Capital region with an opportunity to become financial stakeholders in the project.
The Capital Battery takes Neoen’s Australian battery storage portfolio to 576MW in operation or under construction.
Neoen also owns and operates the recently completed 300MW/450MWh Victorian Big Battery in Geelong, and the 150MW/193.5MWh Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia.
Neoen Australia’s Managing Director, Louis de Sambucy, said, “We now have a large-scale battery in three of the five states of the National Electricity Market.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the ACT Government for their commitment to accelerating the transition to net zero emissions, as well as to Doosan and TransGrid for their hard work and commitment which has enabled the Capital Battery to reach the start of construction.”
ACT Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury, said, “The doubling of battery capacity to 100MW is a great commitment and indicates the confidence in the market, and the important role of batteries in modernising and stabilising the electricity network.
“The ACT Government is very proud of having achieved our nation-leading 100 per cent renewable electricity target since 2020.
“This was achieved largely through solar and wind energy contracts, including a number of contracts with Neoen.”
