BIG BATTERY IS A BIG DEAL
THE ACT is looking to break the Australian big battery record, with plans that will see the nation's capital overtake South Australia in the energy storage race.
The Climate Council welcomes the ACT Government's 'Big Canberra Battery' election commitment to deliver at least 250MW of battery storage, which would create clean jobs and lower power bills.
"At 250MW, the storage capacity of the ACT battery system would be larger than Australia's entire installed utility-scale battery capacity. This sets the ACT up to benefit from clean, reliable power for the future," said the Climate Council's CEO, Amanda McKenzie.
"The combined capacity of the proposed 'Big Canberra Battery' would be far larger than the massive Tesla battery in South Australia," she said.
"Australia is the sunniest and one of the windiest countries in the world. We're also a major producer of many of the key minerals needed for battery production. This is a logical economic move for the ACT, which has hit 100 percent renewable energy this year, and has a target of net zero emissions by 2045," said Ms McKenzie.
"The 'Big Canberra Battery' announcement comes after new economic modelling found that 1,000 jobs could be created in the ACT, rapidly getting people back into the workforce while also tackling climate change," she said.
"Renewable energy, backed by storage can provide 24/7 clean, reliable and affordable power for Australians," said Ms McKenzie.
"It is great to see the ACT Government use this unique time to commit to the jobs and industries of the future," she said.
