The developers of a new 200 MWh battery storage facility have inked a connection agreement with South Australia’s transmission firm, ElectraNet, as the state moves closer to its expedited goal of using only renewable energy sources by 2030.
On Wednesday, ElectraNet made an announcement announcing the signing of the connection agreement for a 100MW / 200MWh Mannum battery, which would be situated next to the company’s current solar farms and adjacent to the local substation.
At an estimated cost of $130 million, development is scheduled to start this year and be finished by the end of 2025.
ElectraNet released a statement saying, “This is another exciting development from our customer that is moving South Australia towards its net renewables target.”
South Australia has established itself as a global frontrunner in wind and solar energy adoption, consistently meeting an average of 71 percent of gigawatt-scale grid demand over the past year.
Responding to forecasts from entities such as ElectraNet and the Australian Energy Market Operator, the state government has expedited its official target of achieving a “net” 100 percent renewable energy status from 2030 to 2027. This adjustment reflects the substantial progress made in wind, solar, and battery project development.
Both ElectraNet and the Australian Energy Market Operator acknowledge the complexity of connecting battery projects of this magnitude. They remain dedicated to overcoming technical challenges and streamlining connection processes.
The proposed Mannum battery project intends to utilize Canadian Solar and e-Storage’s proprietary SolBank battery solution, featuring lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells.
Tom Forde, head of project development at Epic Energy, expressed enthusiasm for South Australia’s energy transition. He affirmed the company’s commitment to leveraging innovation and expertise in energy infrastructure to facilitate the development of renewable energy projects supporting the transition to clean energy.
