Neoen, a France-based renewable energy company, announced the construction has begun on its 100 MW/200 MWh Capital Battery, which doubled from its initial 50 MW capacity proposed last year. The project is located next to TransGrid’s Queanbeyan substation, which is in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
The Neoen’s Capital Battery came about after the developer won ACT Government’s 2020 renewable energy auction, in which it was awarded a 14-year contract to supply 100 MW of wind energy from Stage 1 of Goyder Renewables Zone including plans for a 50 MW battery. In response to the emerging market for battery services, Neoen has decided to increase the size of the Capital Battery to 100 MW/200 MWh.
“The doubling of battery capacity to 100 MW is a great commitment and indicates the confidence in the market and the important role of batteries in modernizing and stabilizing the electricity network,” said Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction.
Early construction works have commenced, with the battery expected to start operating in the first half of 2023. The investment is designed to help modernize and stabilize the ACT grid with the battery capable of performing multiple roles, including firming renewables, providing frequency services, and transmission network support.
The Capital Battery takes Neoen’s Australian battery storage portfolio to 576 MW n operation or under construction, cementing its position as the country’s leading owner and operator of big batteries. Neoen also owns and operates the recently completed 300 MW/450 MWh Victorian Big Battery in Geelong and the 150 MW/193.5 MWh Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia. It also announced plans for 300MW and 800MWh battery in Blyth, north of Adelaide.
The project takes Neoen one step closer to its goal of having at least one large-scale battery operating in each state of Australia’s National Electricity Market.
