Big battery build underway

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Construction on one of the world’s biggest renewable energy storage batteries is now happening in Melbourne’s west.

On Wednesday, Premier Jacinta Allan and State Electricity Commission Minister Lily D’Ambrosio visited the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, a 600-megawatt big battery that is the first project from the resurrected State Electricity Commision (SEC).

The first of 444 Tesla Megapack battery components are being installed at the hub which once completed will have 1.6 gigawatt hours of energy storage, enough to power up to 200,000 homes during peak periods.

Ms Allan hailed the development.

“We’re building for our future – and the SEC is unlocking more renewable and affordable energy for Victorians with one of the biggest batteries in the world,” she said.

Ms D’Ambrosio said the big battery would deliver 23 per cent of Victoria’s 2030 storage capacity target.

“With large amounts of solar and wind coming online, batteries will be able to suck it up and dispatch it when needed.”

The hub is expected to be operational next year.

For more information visit: secvictoria.com.au