¶ ALL 640 batteries are in place at Synergy’s $1.6 billion Collie Battery Energy Storage System and commissioning works are underway.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Premier Roger Cook and Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson at the site last week to mark the completion of installation works.
The system’s 160 inverters are now also in place and it remains on track for completion later this year.
The 500 megawatt battery will integrate with the South West Interconnected System, storing excess solar energy generated during the day and providing power when required at peak times.
It will provide 2000 megawatt hours of energy storage and be able to power around 785,000 homes.
Mr Cook described the battery as a key part of WA’s energy transition.
“This is the energy transition that you can see right in front of you,” Mr Cook said.
“This battery is now on track to make sure that this summer, and every summer going forward, we have strong, reliable, renewable and gas-fired energy sources, which will continue to power this state into the future.”
Ms Sanderson said the battery is progressing in time to power up ahead of summer.
“Synergy’s Collie battery will play a critical role in WA achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and delivers on our commitment to power WA with cleaner, reliable and affordable energy,” she said.
Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said Collie is positioned to maintain a key role in powering WA.
“The completion of installation works at Synergy’s Collie Battery Energy Storage System shows us that Collie will continue to be at the heart of WA’s main electricity system,” Mrs Hanns said.