Neoen's 219MW Collie Battery Stage 1 has commenced operations in Western Australia, coming online in record time, less than 18 months after construction began. Located near the town of Collie in the state's southwest, the 219MW/877MWh battery storage facility is now the largest in Western Australia and the first Neoen project connected to the South-West Interconnected System (SWIS).
In partnership with Tesla, UGL, and Western Power, Neoen delivered the project ahead of schedule. Since October 1, the Collie Battery has been providing a 197MW four-hour storage service to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) under a two-year Non-Co-optimised Essential System Services (NCESS) contract. The battery charges during daylight hours and discharges during the evening peak to support Western Australia's energy demand as the state retires government-owned coal plants and incorporates more renewable energy.
This project marks Neoen's first long-duration battery in Western Australia, with Stage 2 already under construction. Once completed, the combined site will provide 560MW/2240MWh of storage—capable of managing 20% of the SWIS's average demand. Jean-Christophe Cheylus, CEO of Neoen Australia, praised the project, noting Neoen's commitment to Western Australia's energy transition, with over 2GW of projects in the region's pipeline.
Western Australia's Minister for Energy, Reece Whitby, highlighted the importance of such storage projects in the state's transition to renewable energy, stating, “This battery will support rooftop solar investment by storing excess energy during the day and making it available when needed most in the evening.”
Western Power CEO Sam Barbaro emphasized the collaboration and innovation involved, noting the project as a key step toward Western Australia's decarbonization and renewable energy goals.
