Battery Storage in Australia

Australia has become a global leader in large-scale battery storage, with several landmark projects demonstrating the technology’s role in supporting renewable energy integration, grid stability, and cost savings. Below are some of the detailed case studies of some of the most successful and influential projects completed in recent years which our team has been fortunate to be a part of.

Hornsdale Power Reserve (South Australia)

• Developer: Neoen (in partnership with Tesla)
• Capacity: 150 MW / 194 MWh (initially 100 MW / 129 MWh, expanded in 2020)
• Commissioned: 2017, expanded in 2020

Key Achievements:

• First large-scale grid-connected battery in Australia and one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery installations.
• Dramatically improved grid reliability and provided critical backup during emergencies and high demand.
• Delivered more than $150 million in energy market savings in its first two years.
• Supported local employment, with 158 jobs created during construction and over $300 million in economic value generated for South Australia.
• Provided essential grid services such as frequency control and voltage support, reducing reliance on gas peaker plants and lowering emissions.

Victorian Big Battery (Victoria)

• Developer: Neoen
• Capacity: 300 MW / 450 MWh
• Commissioned: December 2021

Key Achievements:

• One of the largest batteries in the world, consisting of 212 Tesla MegaPack units.
• Unlocks 250 MW of additional peak capacity, boosting grid security and supporting increased renewable energy penetration.
• Delivered more than $220 million in projected benefits to Victorian consumers over 11 years, including significant power bill savings.
• Provided an economic boost to the Geelong region, creating over 150 construction jobs and supporting local community initiatives through a benefit fund.

Dalrymple Battery Energy Storage System (South Australia)

• Developer: ElectraNet
• Capacity: 30 MW / 8 MWh
• Commissioned: December 2018

Key Achievements:

• First transmission grid-connected battery in the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM) to provide both regulated and competitive market services.
• Enhanced reliability at the end of a long radial transmission line, supporting affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy delivery.

Collie Battery Projects (Western Australia)

• Developers: Synergy (state-owned), Neoen (French-based)
• Capacities: Synergy’s Collie Battery: 500 MW / 2,000 MWh (completion imminent); Neoen’s Collie Battery: 540 MW / 2,240 MWh (first stage operational, second stage due mid-2025)

Key Achievements:

• Among the largest battery storage projects in Australia, supporting the transition away from coal-fired generation.
• Will play a central role in reshaping the world’s largest isolated grid (Western Australia), which already sees wind and solar peaks above 80% of demand.

Other Notable Projects

• Goyder South Project (South Australia): 900 MW / 1,800 MWh lithium-ion battery by Neoen, to be commissioned in 2025.
• Kentbruck Green Power Hub (Victoria): 500 MW / 1,000 MWh lithium-ion battery by Neoen.
• Wooreen Battery (Victoria): 350 MW lithium-ion battery at Jeeralang power station, supported by the Australian Capacity Investment Scheme.
• EnelX Riverland Project (South Australia): 8 MW of battery storage across five sites for Central Irrigation Trust, supporting agricultural energy needs.