It’s a big day for battery storage in Western Australia, with Neoen announcing that it has delivered the second stage of its Collie BESS (battery energy storage system) ahead of schedule, as construction begins on its third BESS in Muchea.
Neoen has delivered Collie Battery Stage 2 (341MW/1363MWh) ahead of schedule in time for the start of its four-hour grid capacity service contract with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on 1 October 2025 – less than 15 months since the start of construction.
Delivered over two stages, Neoen’s Collie BESS is the first in Australia to offer more than 2GWh of energy storage, and at the time of writing has more storage than any other BESS in Australia.
At 560MW and 2240MWh, the Collie BESS has more than five times more storage than the Victoria Big Battery (VBB), which has 300MW of capacity and 450MWh of storage and was the largest lithium-ion battery in the Southern Hemisphere when it was first commissioned in 2021.
The VBB held that that title until the Waratah Super Battery began partial operations in August 2025. While Waratah isn’t expected to reach its full capacity until later in 2025, at 850MW and 1680MWh it enjoyed a full month as the most powerful and the largest battery in the Southern Hemisphere.
But now, it will have to share that spotlight with the Collie Battery. Neoen’s Collie BESS has more than 40 per cent more storage capacity then Waratah, however, the latter will retain its title as the Southern Hemisphere’s most powerful battery.
Neoen has also provided notices to proceed to Tesla and UGL, signalling the start of construction of Muchea Battery, its third storage asset in Western Australia
At 164MW/905MWh, Muchea is Neoen’s first six-hour long-duration battery and holds a Capacity Investment Scheme Agreement with the Federal Government
The Muchea Battery will consist of 252 Tesla Megapack 2XL units and will connect into Western’s Power’s existing Muchea substation in the SWIS (South-West Interconnected System).
Once operational, Neoen said that Muchea will deliver critical grid-stability and reliability services during Western Australia’s evening peaks. Located on the country of the Whadjuk people and within the Shire of Chittering, Neoen said the Muchea Battery is expected to deliver 70 new jobs during construction as well as economic opportunities for local businesses. It is expected to contribute more than $2 million in benefit-sharing for First Nations peoples and the local community across its 20-year operational lifespan.
Neoen Australia CEO, Jean-Christophe Cheylus, said the pace at which Neoen has grown and delivered storage in Western Australia is a reflection of the team’s disciplined focus, the strength of its relationships with Tesla, UGL, Western Power and AEMO, and the trust that it has nurtured with host landowners and the local community.
“I applaud the dedication of everyone who has brought Collie Battery online so quickly and look forward to Muchea Battery joining it to support the WA grid,” he said.
Western Power CEO, Sam Barbaro, said that the Western Power network is playing a key role in enabling industry and the community to reach their decarbonisation goals and expediting the transition to a sustainable energy system.
“I’d like to congratulate Neoen and recognise all involved in enabling Collie Battery 2 to be delivered ahead of schedule. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Neoen on the Muchea Battery project with the aim of providing outstanding outcomes for our community and the Western Australian energy market,” he said.
Energy Policy WA Coordinator of Energy, Jai Thomas, said it was great to see the Western Australian Government’s energy market arrangements delivering innovative projects like Neoen’s Muchea Battery.
“The integration of new clean energy generation and battery storage projects is a crucial part of Western Australia’s energy transition and its journey to becoming a renewable energy powerhouse,” Mr Thomas said.
Neoen Group CEO, Xavier Barbaro, congratulated Neoen’s team and delivery partners on achieving these two impressive milestones in Western Australia.
“Neoen’s ability to rapidly enter a new region and deliver high quality projects on time is the fruit of intense collaboration and commitment,” he said.
“We are proud that our storage assets are playing an increasingly critical role in accelerating the energy transition in Australia, and around the world.”
