Government deluged with bids to build renewables, batteries

The federal government has been deluged with massive offers to build solar projects in the first round of its Capacity Investment Scheme with six new big battery projects getting the green light.

Two big batteries will be built in South Australia and two in Victoria with the largest in the former coal power stronghold of the Latrobe Valley in Victoria a massive 1,400 MWh Wooreen battery capacity to be built by EnergyAustralia (pictured).

The government asked for 600 megawatts worth of bids in SA and Victoria with Canberra receiving 19 gigawatts worth of bids.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen told a press conference in Morwell in Gippsland: “This is a small auction of 600 megawatts.

“…These projects will be delivered by 2027, and that’s as it should be to ensure the new energy is created as coal fired power leaves, and just as importantly, the new jobs are created as well.

“…Later this year, I’ll be announcing the results of our first national auction of six gigawatts. And no doubt this area will benefit from that auction as well.”

Bowen said the​ winning projects will soak up ‘cheap, clean energy from renewable generation’, to be discharged back into the grid as needed.

The CIS programme will seek a total of 23 gigawatts (GW) of new wind and solar and 9,000 MW of battery storage to close in on Australia’s target of 82 per cent renewables by 2030.

“These projects will improve reliability, put downward pressure on electricity prices, and help us move to a net zero economy.

“But they also deliver major benefits to their local communities…those benefits will start flowing now, not in twenty years’ time.”

One of our key criteria in determining which project was awarded was community benefit.

The Wooreen battery, which is 350 megawatts and can power 400,000 houses for four hours, also has a $500,000 community benefit Lighting the Way fund.

Ten per cent of the hours worked on construction will be for local apprenticeships and 25 per cent of the entire project will be dedicated to local content.

“This energy transformation is absolutely essential for our economic future, but it’s also the greatest opportunity our regions have.”

Picture: EnergyAustralia/Wooreen Energy Storage System