Neoen’s Collie Battery Stage 1, a massive 219 MW/877 MWh energy storage project, has officially begun operations in Western Australia, coming online ahead of schedule. Powered by 224 Tesla Megapack 2XL units, this facility is set to be the largest battery in the region, but not for long.
According to a press release from Neoen, the battery began delivering a 197 MW/4-hour grid capacity service to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on October 1st, juts 18 months after construction first began. Known as the Non-Co-optimised Essential System Services (NCESS) contract, this service will run for two years and help with the gradual retirement of coal-fired power plants in the region.
By charging during the day and discharging during the evening peak, the Collie Battery helps maintain grid stability and maximizes the use of renewable energy.
“The delivery of Collie Battery Stage 1, ahead of schedule, is a major step for Neoen, demonstrating the speed with which we can develop and deploy solutions into new regions. We are proud to be shaping the grid of the future for the benefit of industry and consumers across Australia and around the globe,” said Neoen CEO Xavier Barbaro.
Stage 1 marks Neoen’s first large-scale project in Western Australia, while the company is building out Collie Battery Stage 2, an even bigger 341 MW/1,363 MWh facility expected to go live in late 2025. Once complete, the entire Collie Battery complex will offer a combined 560 MW/2,240 MWh capacity, capable of discharging up to 20% of average demand on the region.
Neoen’s energy storage portfolio in Australia now stands at an impressive 1,925 MW/4,709 MWh.
