WA Government awards more than $1b in contracts for battery energy storage systems 

The WA State Government has awarded more than $1b in contracts to deliver new battery energy storage systems in Kwinana and Collie.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co was contracted to supply around 300 EnerC Plus containerised liquid-cooling battery systems for Kwinana Battery Stage Two and around 650 EnerC Plus for Collie.

Further, Power Electrics will deliver 72 inverters for the Kwinana battery and 160 inverters for the Collier battery.

WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston commented on the contracts.

“Contemporary Amperex Technology is a global leader of new energy innovative technologies, providing more than 600 battery units for Kwinana Battery Stage One, which is now storing energy and discharging into the grid,” he said.

“Power Electronics is a leading manufacturer of inverters for photovoltaic plants and battery applications and a world leader in energy storage.”

Kwinana Battery Stage Two will provide 200MW of power with 800MW hours of energy storage. Construction began in June and is expected to be completed at the end of 2024.

The Collie battery will be the biggest in WA, providing 500MW with 2000MW hours of storage.

The batteries will support more renewables by storing wind and solar energy generated during the day and delivering it back to the system during high-demand periods.

WA Premier Roger Cook says the storage systems will play an important role in the state’s decarbonisation plans.

“These contracts, worth more than $1b, represent a major and important investment by our Government into WA’s cleaner, reliable and affordable energy future,” he said.

“Battery energy storage systems will play a key role in our decarbonisation plans, storing excess renewable energy generated in the day and discharging during times of high demand.”