Construction has begun on the $625 million Stage Two Battery in Kwinana, which is being funded by the Western Australian Government to help deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy for the future.
Kwinana Battery Stage Two will provide 200MW of energy capacity with 800MWh of energy storage – four times that of Kwinana Battery Stage One.
The big battery is being built on 3ha at the former Kwinana Power Station, adjacent to the first grid-scale battery.
As Western Australia’s second grid-scale battery energy storage system, the new battery will comprise 288 shipping container-sized battery modules and will feature 72 inverter units.
These inverters use new-generation technology to support grid stability by storing electricity when demand is lowest and delivering it back into the grid during peak times.
More than 160 jobs will be created during the construction of the second big battery, which is expected to be completed by late 2024.
Western Australia’s first transmission-connected big battery was switched on in June 2023 and provides 100MW or 200MWh.
Big batteries are an important initiative under the Western Australian Government’s Energy Transformation Strategy and commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.
Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, said the State Government is getting on with delivering its plan for cleaner, reliable and affordable energy.
“The start of construction for Western Australia’s second grid-scale battery energy storage system is an important milestone in the State’s energy transformation.
“Western Australia is a leader in the uptake of residential solar energy, and these big batteries help to ensure our energy system remains reliable as we transition away from coal-fired power.
“It is particularly fitting that we’re building the infrastructure of the future at the site of the old Kwinana Power Station – keeping the Kwinana industrial strip front and centre as our energy system transitions to a new future.”
Western Australian Energy Minister, Bill Johnston, said the big battery features new technology and will strengthen the reliability of the power supply to the State’s main electricity grid.
“Western Australia is unique in its energy security because we are not connected to other networks,” Mr Johnston said.
“Our energy management sets us apart from the rest of Australia.
“By investing in renewable energy and battery storage solutions, the Government is safe-guarding the long-term resilience and flexibility of our electricity network.”
The Western Australian Government is investing $3.8 billion into renewable energy infrastructure, including a 500MW battery energy storage system in Collie. The development application for the Collie big battery is expected to be submitted to the Shire of Collie in late 2023.
Yet they have zero rebates for WA personal households like most other states.