One of the largest battery projects in Australia has officially opened, also marking the first completed investment from SEC, Victoria’s government-owned renewable energy company.
The 600-megawatt Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub is co-owned by SEC and Equis Australia and is one of the biggest batteries in the world, capable of supplying electricity to up to 200,000 homes during peak periods.
With a storage capacity of 1.6 gigawatt hours, the hub has 444 battery units that store excess power generated from wind and solar.
The hub is located at the confluence of several of Victoria’s critical transmission routes, which means it will strengthen the state’s electricity network and unlock capacity for more renewable energy.
SEC CEO Chris Miller said the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub is designed to add significant storage capability to the state’s transitioning power system.
“The hub will soak up excess wind and solar power during the daytime and shift that energy to the evening peaks when we need it most,” Miller said.
“SEC’s AU$245 million investment was pivotal to the project’s delivery, enabling construction to begin and allowing one of the project’s three big batteries to be upscaled from two to four hours of storage.”
The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub was the first investment from SEC’s initial AU$1 billion fund towards building 4.5 gigawatts of new renewable energy and storage projects.
The project has prioritised local businesses, with more than a dozen Melbourne-based companies providing services and supplies.