Image: Neoen

The Australian Energy Market Operator has awarded Neoen a service contract for Western Australia's South-West Interconnected System. The company uses 224 Tesla Megapack 2XL units to power the Collie Battery, sized at 219 MW / 877 MWh.

Tesla Megapack will be used for 219 MW / 877 MWh Collie Battery

Neoen has been awarded a 197 MW / 4-hour capacity services contract by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in a competitive tender initiated by the Western Australian Coordinator of Energy, according to a press release. The service will be provided on the first stage of the 219 MW / 877 MWh Collie Battery. It will consist of 224 Tesla Megapack 2XL units. The project, started by Neoen in 2021, received development approval for a total of 1 GW/4 GWh in December 2022. The battery will be located near the town of Collie, in the country of the Wilman people of the Bibbulmun nation, in the South West region of Western Australia (WA). It will connect to Western Power's Shotts Terminal substation, which is part of the South-West Interconnected System (SWIS), a separate network to the one on the eastern coast of Australia.

Construction notices have already been sent

Neoen has sent notice to Tesla and construction contractor UGL to begin construction of Phase 1 of the Collie Battery. It is expected to be put into operation in Q4 2024. The battery is Neoen's first major project in Western Australia, as well as the world's first battery with a long life of four hours.

The AEMO Non-Co-Optimized Essential System Services (NCESS) contract will run for two years from October 1, 2024. It will provide 197 MW of storage capacity for four hours, charging during the day and then discharging during the evening peak. The battery is designed to address the risks identified by AEMO associated with the decommissioning of coal-fired power plants.

The project will boost local economic growth

The Collie Battery will bring significant economic growth to Collie County by creating over 120 construction jobs and opportunities for local suppliers. The project will have an annual benefit sharing program developed jointly with the local community.

Neoen powers Australia's rapid transition to renewable energy

The Collie Battery is the sixth major Neoen battery in Australia. The company's total storage assets in Australia exceed 1.1 GW (including those already in operation or under construction). This further strengthens its position as the leading battery developer, owner, and operator in the country. It already owns and operates the 300 MW / 450 MWh Victorian Big Battery in Geelong and the 150 MW / 193.5 MWh Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia, while its 100 MW / 200 MWh Capital Battery, 200 MW / 400 MWh Blyth Battery, and 200 MW / 400 MWh Western Downs Battery are all currently under construction.

© 2023, Eva Fox | Tesmanian. All rights reserved.

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Article edited by @SmokeyShorts; follow him on Twitter

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