The Western Downs battery project in Queensland, Australia, is set to double in size. The project, which recently completed its first phase, will now see the addition of more Tesla Megapacks.
Tesla will supply 140 Megapack units, valued at approximately US$133 million, to power the second phase of the Western Downs battery. The new Megapacks will add 270 megawatts (MW) and 540 megawatt-hours (MWh) of capacity, bringing the total to an impressive 540 MW and 1080 MWh. (via RenewEconomy)
The expansion is expected to be operational by 2026. The Wester Downs battery project was built by French renewable energy developer Neoen and is operated by Australian energy giant AGL, which secured a 10-year “virtual battery” contract.
The “virtual battery” concept, pioneered by Neoen, allows AGL to leverage the battery’s capacity without physically owning or operating it. Instead, AGL can virtually charge and dispatch energy from the battery, providing flexibility in managing its energy portfolio. This approach not only ensures a stable electricity supply but also allows Neoen to optimize the battery’s remaining capacity for other market opportunities, such as energy arbitrage and frequency control.
While the Western Downs battery currently holds the title of Queensland’s largest, it may not hold that distinction for long. Plans are already underway for the expansion of the Stanwell battery, which, upon completion, will surpass Western Downs in capacity.
