Neoen has secured a contract to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) in Western Australia capable of delivering 197 megawatts (MW) of capacity services for the South-West Interconnected System (SWIS). The project, known as Collie Battery, will use Tesla Megapacks and be capable of storing energy for up to four hours.
Stage 1 of the Collie Battery, with a size of 219 MW and a capacity of 877 MWh, has received the green light for construction. Neoen has already given the go-ahead to Tesla and UGL, a construction contractor, marking the official start of the project.
Situated near Collie, Western Australia, the battery will connect to the South-West Interconnected System through Western Power’s Shotts Terminal substation. By providing 197 MW of storage capacity for four hours, the Collie Battery will mitigate the risks associated with retiring coal power plants and the increasing penetration of rooftop solar in the region. This storage capacity will charge during the day and discharge during the evening peak, ensuring a smooth transition toward higher levels of renewable energy.
The Collie Battery is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2024, representing several milestones for Neoen. It is the company’s first venture into Western Australia and the company’s first venture into constructing a long duration battery. If you recognize the name that’s because Neoen has already built five other large-scale battery projects that are either already in operation or under construction.
The company’s portfolio includes the Victorian Big Battery with 212 Megapacks in Geelong and the Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia. Neoen’s Capital Battery, Blyth Battery, and Western Downs Battery projects are currently under construction.
With this latest addition, Neoen’s Australian storage projects will exceed 1.1 GW either in operation or under construction, all with Megapacks.
