Construction of Synergy’s second big battery in Kwinana is now complete and is set to be switched on in December 2024.
The $661 million Kwinana BESS (battery energy storage system) stage two comprises 288 shipping container-sized battery modules and features 72 inverter units, with 800MW/h of storage and 200MW of capacity.
Work on the project began in July 2023 and is now complete, with the battery to switch on before Christmas 2024.
The Western Australian Government said that the project supported around 200 jobs in construction, and this milestone comes as the state’s main electricity grid hit a new renewable energy record, with renewables peaking at 85.1 per cent of energy on the SWIS (South West Interconnected System) on 17 November 2024.
The state 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.
The Western Australian Government said that investing in battery systems on the grid means the state 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 State Government said it is investing more than $5.4 billion in Western Australia’s energy transition.
The Kwinana big batteries join Neoen’s 560MW/2240MWh battery unit in Collie, as well as Synergy’s Collie Battery Energy Storage System, which is due to come online in 2025.
Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, said this clean energy plan is setting up the state for the future and locking in affordable and reliable energy for every Western Australian.
“We’re smashing renewable energy records because of our government’s significant investment into the energy transition,” Mr Cook said.
“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.”
Western Australian Energy Minister, Reece Whitby, said, “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.”
Featured image: WA Energy Minister, Reece Whitby; Synergy CEO, David Fyfe; and WA Premier, Roger Cook, at the launch of KBESS2. Image: Synergy
