Work on the Big Canberra Battery project, a distributed network of batteries built around the ACT to form a battery ecosystem, will begin soon. The ACT Government has allocated $850,000 in the 2022-23 ACT Budget to the project, Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced today.

Once built, the Battery will be able to power around one third of the ACT’s energy needs.

“It will help future proof the Territory’s energy supply by reducing the load on our electricity network, supporting more families to switch to reliable renewable energy sources to power their homes,” Mr Barr said.

“The ACT is leading the nation on climate action. We are already powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, and the next step in our plan to reduce emissions and provide sustainable energy to Canberra households is the delivery of one of the largest battery storage systems in the Southern Hemisphere.”

The project will be delivered in three streams. Stream 1 will deliver 250 megawatts of grid connected battery storage to support the electricity network.

Stream 2 will initially seek to deliver batteries at 14 government sites to help reduce power used in government buildings and reduce the strain on the distribution network. The government sites are spread around the city, with batteries planned for sites in Fyshwick, Gungahlin, Belconnen, Chifley, Greenway, Kambah, and Stromlo.

Stream 3 will deliver medium sized neighbourhood batteries.

Procurement processes for Streams 1 and 2 are being developed, and will open to industry in August.

The ACT Government is investing $307 million over five years to take the next steps to transition the ACT to net zero emissions by 2045.

“As part of this, the Big Canberra Battery project will support the transition to a clean energy grid as more Canberrans make the switch from gas to electricity and generate new revenue opportunities for the ACT,” Mr Barr said.

“Batteries provide a vital link to store energy from renewable sources, and improve the resilience and reliability of our future electricity system, and will be a key part of our clean energy future.

“This project is part of the ACT Government’s commitment to climate action, ensuring all Canberrans benefit from a net zero emissions future.”