- Second Kwinana big battery complete and set to be switched on before Christmas
- $661 million investment to support clean, affordable, reliable energy for WA
- Renewable energy record broken on WA’s main grid, reaching more than 80 per cent
- Cook Labor Government’s clean energy plan delivering for WA
The Cook Labor Government’s clean energy plan is powering ahead, with the second Kwinana big battery now complete and the State smashing renewable energy records in November.
The $661 million Kwinana Battery Energy Storage System stage two comprises 288 shipping container-sized battery modules and features 72 inverter units, with 800 megawatt-hours of storage and 200 megawatts of capacity.
Work on the project began in July last year and is now complete, with the battery to switch on before Christmas. The project supported around 200 jobs in construction.
It comes as Western Australia’s main electricity grid hit a new renewable energy record this month, with renewables peaking at 85.1 per cent of energy on the South West Interconnected System on 17 November.
The WA Labor Government has more than doubled the renewables on the grid since 2017, increasing from 14 per cent in 2017 to more than 34 per cent in 2023.
Investing in battery systems on the grid means WA can continue to drive up its renewable energy contribution, including from increased rooftop solar, and guarantees affordable and reliable energy for the State.
Synergy’s two big batteries in Kwinana will be able to power 450,000 households for up to four hours throughout Perth and beyond once the new battery is switched on.
The Kwinana big batteries join Neoen’s 560MW/2,240MWh battery unit in Collie, as well as the Cook Government’s Collie Battery Energy Storage System, which is due to come online next year.
The Cook Labor Government is investing more than $5.4 billion in WA’s energy transition.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“Our clean energy plan is setting up WA for the future and locking in affordable and reliable energy for every Western Australian.
“We’re smashing renewable energy records because of our Labor Government’s significant investment into the energy transition.
“The Kwinana big batteries will play a vital role in keeping our energy system reliable and stable, allowing us to bring on more renewable energy and sensibly phase out coal by 2030.”
As stated by Energy Minister Reece Whitby:
“With the completion of Synergy’s second Kwinana battery, we are delivering on our promise to provide Western Australians with power that is clean, affordable, and reliable.
“It won’t just soak up excess rooftop solar and onshore wind during the day – it will provide electricity in the evening, when the sun doesn’t shine, and the wind doesn’t blow.
“As we continue to retire State-owned coal-fired power, large-scale storage will play a critical role in enabling a smooth transition and backs in households seeking to benefit from rooftop solar.”
