The project, which will be delivered by WA's state-owned utility Synergy, will comprise 288 shipping container-sized battery modules and feature 72 electricity-storing inverters. The project is expected to be completed by late 2024 and WA has allocated A$625mn ($416mn) of funding for the project. It will have 200MW of energy capacity with 800MWh of energy storage capacity. This is quadruple that of WA's first battery ESS in Kwinana, which has 100MW of energy capacity with 200MWh of energy storage capacity, and was switched on last month.
The development application of the 500MW battery ESS that will be situated in the southern WA coal town of Collie is expected to be submitted to WA's local authority the Shire of Collie later this year, according to WA's state government. It is expected to be operational by 2024.
"WA is a leader in the uptake of residential solar energy, and these big batteries help to ensure our energy system remains reliable as we transition away from coal-fired power," said Australia's minister of state development, jobs and trade Roger Cook.
WA has set a new interim target in June to cut government emissions by 80pc below 2020 levels by 2030 and is transitioning towards a greater use of renewables.
An estimated A$3.8bn will be invested into new renewables infrastructure in WA's main power network, the South West Interconnected System, which covers the state capital of Perth and the area south of the city.
