The government said the big battery project will be capable of responding rapidly to network constraints and will be able to store enough renewable energy to power one-third of Canberra for two hours during peak demand periods. The Williamsdale battery will be developed, built and operated by Macquarie Group offshoot Eku Energy.
Expected to be online in 2025, the battery energy storage system will cost between $300 million and $400 million and could hold enough energy to power one-third of Canberra for two hours during peak demand. Chief Minister Andrew Barr has signed a partnership with Eku Energy's Daniel Burrows for the Big Canberra Battery. (ABC News: Patrick Bell)
This 250-megawatt (MW), 500 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) is part of the Big Canberra Battery project and can store enough renewable energy to power one-third of Canberra for two hours during peak demand periods. The BESS will cost between $300 and $400 million and will be developed, built, and operated by Eku Energy.
"We look forward to delivering safe, secure and reliable energy to the grid," Mr Burrows said. The ACT government announces it's partnering with Eku Energy to deliver the much-hyped Big Canberra Battery which could power one-third of Canberra for two hours.
Construction will start in late 2024 with completion expected in 2025. The Big Canberra Battery project will provide renewable energy security across the electricity grid, help the Australian Capital Territory grow its renewable energy sector, provide more local employment opportunities, and deliver a positive financial return for the Territory.
The way has been cleared for construction to begin on a 250 MW / 500 MWh battery energy storage system that will help “future proof” the Australian Capital Territory’s energy supply by reducing the load on Canberra’s electricity network and increasing network reliability.