The ACT Government and Eku Energy have today officially flicked the switch on the largest battery energy storage system in the Territory’s history.
The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Williamsdale is now operational, delivering 250 megawatts (MW) of power, enough to supply one-third of Canberra’s electricity needs for up to two hours during peak demand periods.
The system can also respond to changes in the grid within milliseconds, storing renewable energy and making it available when it is needed most. This will strengthen the reliability and resilience of Canberra’s energy system, especially during periods of high demand.
The facility includes 136 Tesla Megapacks 2 batteries arranged in 12 collector grids, each with 12 step-up transformers. The batteries are connected to the electricity network through a main transformer that is larger than an Action bus and weighs over 180 tonnes.
The Big Canberra Battery was a key election commitment of the Government and has been delivered through an innovative partnership with Eku Energy. Eku Energy is a specialist developer and operator of large-scale battery storage projects across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the United Kingdom and Germany. They have led the project’s development and will continue to manage the facility.
The project supported 150 jobs at peak construction, providing opportunities for local workers and businesses while helping grow skills in the renewable energy sector. It has also delivered $1 million in community benefits funding, supporting local not-for-profit organisations and energy research in the ACT.
Along with the Big Canberra Battery, the Government is delivering a network of battery storage across the ACT. This includes the neighbourhood batteries operating in Dickson, Casey and Fadden, boosting the ACT’s electricity network and supporting growing renewable energy use across the Territory.
This integrated battery network will play a big role in the ACT’s transition to net zero emissions by 2045 while helping to maintain a stable, secure and reliable electricity supply for Canberrans.
Quotes attributable to Andrew Barr, ACT Chief Minister:
“As more Canberrans switch to electric vehicles and electric appliances in their homes and businesses, we need to make sure our energy system is ready to meet that growing demand.
“The Big Canberra Battery is a major piece of that future-proofing. It will help keep our energy network reliable and resilient, make better use of renewable energy, and support Canberra as we continue to electrify our city.
“This is an investment in Canberra’s future that will benefit our community for decades to come, improving energy security while supporting our transition to net zero emissions by 2045.”
Quotes attributable to Suzanne Orr, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water:
“Renewable energy is the most cost-effective and sustainable way to power our city, our homes and local businesses.
“Large-scale battery storage plays an important role in supporting a reliable electricity system by capturing renewable energy when it is available and delivering it back to the grid when demand is highest.
“The Big Canberra Battery in Williamsdale is an important milestone in Canberra’s energy transition and supports reliable and affordable energy for the region.”
Quotes attributable to Tom Best, Chief Operating Officer, Eku Energy:
“We are proud to have delivered the Williamsdale BESS on time, on budget and most importantly safely.
“The Williamsdale BESS not only provides energy security to Canberrans and supports a stable grid, it also deployed community benefits grants of $1,000,000 to local not-for profit groups to help Canberrans thrive and the Centre for Energy Systems at the Australian National University to further their research into the most suitable energy system for the ACT.”
