The ACT Government has teamed with Eku Energy to develop the next phase of the Big Canberra Battery, a large-scale battery storage facility in Williamsdale.
The project will provide renewable energy security across the power system, assist the ACT in growing its renewable energy sector, create more local jobs, and generate a positive financial return for the Territory.
Chief Minister and Minister for Climate Action Andrew Barr stated that the State Government’s collaboration with Eku Energy to create a grid-scale battery in Williamsdale is essential to realising the Big Canberra Battery ecosystem.
“When I first announced the Big Canberra Battery project we had three objectives in mind; grow jobs in our renewable energy sector, create a meaningful revenue stream for the Territory and improve energy security for Canberrans – this contract delivers on all three of those objectives,” Chief Minister Barr said.
As a combined network, Chief Minister Barr added that the battery ecosystem could alleviate network constraints, allow more Canberrans to benefit from solar, and provide an opportunity for the Territory to save money and generate revenue.
The battery project’s primary goal is to support the electricity grid during network disruptions, particularly during peak periods when the grid can be severely stressed. It can restore the grid in a matter of milliseconds, assisting in the prevention of blackouts.
The Big Canberra Battery project includes this 250-megawatt (MW), 500-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), which can store enough renewable energy to power one-third of Canberra for two hours during peak demand periods.
Eku Energy will develop, build, and manage the BESS, costing between $300 and $400 million. Construction will begin in late 2024, with completion scheduled for 2025.
“Eku Energy is delighted to partner with the ACT Government to deliver the next stage of the Big Canberra Battery and support the Government’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions in the Territory by 2045,” Eku Energy Asia Pacific Director and Chief Investment Officer Dabnel Burrows said.
The Territory will receive a proportionate share of the revenue generated by the battery’s participation in the National Electricity Market through an innovative revenue-sharing structure. In addition, the battery will deliver a variety of energy and system security functions. In exchange, the Territory will make quarterly payments to Eku Energy over a 15-year term.
“Eku Energy is accelerating the deployment of battery assets in Australia by combining deep global expertise in financial and energy markets with our established specialist local business to deliver safe, secure and reliable energy storage solutions in a cost-effective manner for end energy users,” Burrows stated.
He added that the battery project marks a significant milestone for Eku Energy as the company celebrate the delivery of its first GWh of battery energy storage in Australia.
According to the State Government, the Big Canberra Battery project is delivering a battery ecosystem at various scales.
“The ACT has delivered 100% renewable electricity since 2020, and initiatives like this build on that achievement and demonstrate the viability of renewable energy in supporting a robust, affordable, and sustainable energy grid,” Chief Minister Barr said.
