THE ACT government will spend up to $400 million on a large-scale battery storage facility in Williamsdale, south of Canberra, in the next stage of the Big Canberra Battery project.

The government says the battery project’s key objective is supporting the electricity grid during network outages, particularly in peak periods when the grid can be under significant stress.  It can back up the grid in just a few milliseconds, helping to prevent blackouts.

This 250-megawatt (MW), 500 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) is part of the Big Canberra Battery project and can store enough renewable energy to power one-third of Canberra for two hours during peak demand periods.

The government says BESS will cost between $300 and $400 million and will be developed, built and operated by Eku Energy, a global specialist energy storage business launched by Macquarie’s Green Investment Group. Construction will start in late 2024 with completion expected in 2025.

The government says the big battery project will provide renewable energy security across the electricity grid, help the ACT grow its renewable energy sector, provide more local employment and deliver a positive financial return for the territory.

The ACT will receive a consequential share of the revenue from the battery’s participation in the National Electricity Market. The ACT will provide Eku Energy with fixed quarterly payments over 15 years.