Synergy, the state-owned energy retailer in Western Australia, has received a planning permit for its ambitious Collie Battery Energy Storage System (CBESS), a 500-MW/2,000 MWh project. The approval, granted by Western Australia's Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel on Friday, marks a significant step in the state's transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy generation.
Valued at AUD 1.6 billion, the CBESS proposal involves the construction of a four-hour battery energy storage facility to enhance the resilience of the state power grid. The installation will be executed in two phases, each comprising 250 MW/1,000 MWh. The initial phase will incorporate 650 EnerC Plus battery units from China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) and approximately 160 inverters.
Synergy anticipates the operational commencement of the battery in October 2025. This facility will represent Synergy's third grid-scale battery in Western Australia, complementing the existing Big Battery and Kwinana Battery located south of Perth.
The strategic location of the CBESS near a coal-fired station scheduled for closure by 2027 underscores the region's commitment to a more sustainable and diversified energy landscape. The project aligns with broader efforts to integrate large-scale battery storage solutions into the grid, contributing to grid stability and facilitating the transition to renewable energy sources.
In parallel, French renewable energy company Neoen SA is concurrently developing a 219-MW/877-MWh battery in Collie as part of a larger complex with a potential capacity of 1,000-MW/4,000 MWh.
