Big battery to help power NSW schools and hospitals
Plans to build 100MW, two hour battery storage facility in the Riverina region of NSW in landmark electricity supply agreement
A 100-megawatt battery will help to power schools, hospitals and Government buildings across NSW under the state’s new electricity supply contract. Through the $3.2b contract awarded to Shell Energy and Edify, a 100-megawatt battery will be built near the Darlington Point Solar Farm in the Riverina, where it will connect into TransGrid’s network at the Darlington Point Substation.
Energy Minister Matt Kean said the deal delivers great value for money and electricity security for the people of NSW. “The NSW Government is the second biggest energy customer in the state and we are using our purchasing power to leverage new dispatchable capacity to help power our schools, hospitals, traffic lights and tunnels,” Mr Kean said.
“This battery will help to keep the lights on and keep costs down during peak energy periods, and support more renewable energy to come online.”
Shell Energy CEO Greg Joiner said the NSW Government has been a longstanding and valued customer and is proud to be partnering with them and Edify to bring this energy solution to the market. “Partnerships are key to delivering solutions in a complex energy transition and we’re pleased to be delivering innovative power solutions that bring investment and contribute to a cleaner and more resilient power system in NSW,” Mr Joiner said.
“Providing products and services that help large energy users
decarbonise and meet their emissions goals is a key focus for us in
assembling the building blocks of a cleaner energy system in Australia.”
The battery, to be built by early 2023 and operated by Edify, will support up to 35 local jobs during the construction phase and will mitigate concerns around supply shortages related to the closure of the Liddell Power Station.
Further detail available here.
