Big battery boost for WA renewable energy future
Collie Battery features in Australia-wide Neoen renewables portfolio
International developer Neoen is financing a 1.5 GW capacity portfolio of Australian renewable energy assets, including the Collie Battery, supporting Western Australia’s clean energy transition.
$55 million
CEFC finance
219 MW
Collie Battery Stage 1
1.5 GW
Neoen portfolio
Long duration storage has an important role to play in decarbonising the WA energy network and transitioning to a grid powered by renewable energy. Running from Kalbarri in the north to Albany in the south and Kalgoorlie in the east, the SWIS network is vital to a stable energy supply across this vast state.Monique MillerChief Investment Officer – Renewables and Sustainable Finance, CEFC
Our investment
The CEFC has committed $55 million towards a portfolio financing of Neoen renewable energy assets.
The Collie Battery Stage 1 will support the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), which provides power to more than 2.3 million people across a 7,600 km transmission system.
The Neoen portfolio, which has a combined generation capacity of some 1.5 GW, also includes:
· Numurkah Solar Farm, Vic
· Coleambally Solar Farm, NSW
· Hornsdale Wind Farms 1,2, 3, SA
· Western Downs Green Power Hub, Qld
· Bulgana Green Power Hub, Vic.
The $55 million CEFC commitment was made alongside Australian and international banks, including ANZ, Westpac and Commonwealth Bank Australia, Société Générale, ING, HSBC, Mizuho, MUFG, Bank of China and China Construction Bank Corporation.
The portfolio financing helps Neoen strengthen its business model as a long-term owner and operator of renewable energy assets in Australia, providing a solid foundation for future growth and for achieving its ambition of 10 GW of renewables capacity in Australia by 2030.*
The CEFC had previously committed finance to the Numurkah and Coleambally assets. This finance was repaid as part of the portfolio financing.
*Source: Neoen media statement
our impact
Strengthening the SWIS
Large-scale energy storage provides critically important grid firming capacity to underpin reliable energy supply as aging coal power plants retire and renewable energy generators are developed to meet Australia’s growing energy demands.
Collie Battery is the first CEFC investment in a big battery in Western Australia. The 219 MW/877 MWh Collie Battery Stage 1 is under construction, with development approval for 1 GW/4 GWh.
The battery, some 200 km south of Perth, is expected to provide bulk energy transfer services for the SWIS, storing solar energy during the day when demand is low, and dispatching it to support the network during peak evening demand.
Building large-scale battery capacity
The CEFC is a leading investor in large-scale batteries, with commitments supporting the technology that will develop Australia’s low emissions 21st century electricity grid. The Australian Energy Market Operator, in its Draft 2024 Integrated System Plan, has forecast that 50 GW/ 645 GWh of dispatchable storage will be needed for an optimal development path to reach Australia’s net zero emissions target.
Commitments include:
$160m: 300 MW Victorian Big Battery
$100m: 850 MW Waratah Super Battery
$99m: Goyder South Wind Farm and 238.5 MW Blyth Battery
$50m: 150 MW Hornsdale Power Reserve
$35m: 100 MW Capital Battery
Driving decarbonisation in Western Australia
CEFC direct investment commitments in Western Australia exceed $600 million, backing emissions reduction across key areas of the state economy, from resources to renewables, energy storage, property, energy from waste and climate tech.
The CEFC has also supported the delivery of some 6,500 smaller scale clean energy projects in the state valued at $200 million. These include projects in agriculture, manufacturing and small to medium enterprise businesses.
