The State Electricity Commission (SEC) is back, and the Allan Labor Government has kicked off construction on one of the world’s biggest renewable energy storage batteries.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio today visited the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub – a 600-megawatt big battery that will store enough energy to power up to 200,000 homes during peak periods.
Construction of the big battery is now underway in Melbourne’s west, with the first of 444 Tesla Megapack battery components being installed and the SEC’s first project on track to be operational in 2025. Once completed, the hub will have three battery components providing 1.6 gigawatt hours of energy storage.
Since work on the project began late last year, more than 530 people – including apprentices and cadets – have worked to complete earthworks and other critical infrastructure to prepare the site for installation of the batteries.
Next year the Hub will start storing excess rooftop solar and surplus energy from the grid, providing extra power at peak times to meet Victoria’s growing demand. It will be connected to three Renewable Energy Zones allowing more energy to connect to the grid – helping to accelerate the energy transition and drive down energy bills.
More than 15,000 tonnes of rock has been extracted and will be reused to build a barrier around the site, landscaped with native vegetation.
The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub is the first project from the SEC’s initial $1 billion investment and is co-owned with renewable energy investor Equis Australia. This project will help deliver the SEC’s target of 4.5 gigawatts of new renewable energy generation and storage projects.
Building renewable energy storage capacity is key to an affordable and reliable energy supply as Victoria transitions to 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035.
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As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
“We’re building for our future – and the SEC is unlocking more renewable and affordable energy for Victorians with one of the biggest batteries in the world.”
As stated by Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio
“The SEC’s big battery will deliver 23 per cent of Victoria’s 2030 storage capacity target – with large amounts of solar and wind coming online, batteries will be able to suck it up and dispatch it when needed.”
As stated by Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins
“This project not only creates jobs and opportunities for Victorians in the western suburbs, but it is also critical to increasing Victoria’s renewable storage capacity.”
