Construction has commenced on one of the world’s largest renewable energy storage batteries, the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub.
The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub is a 600-megawatt big battery that will store enough energy to power up to 200,000 homes during peak periods.
The first of 444 Tesla Megapack battery components being installed and the SEC’s first project on track to be operational in 2025. Once completed, the hub will have three battery components providing 1.6 gigawatt hours of energy storage.
The Energy Hub is the first project from the State Electricity Commission’s initial $1 billion investment and is co-owned with renewable energy investor Equis Australia. This project will help deliver the SEC’s target of 4.5 gigawatts of new renewable energy generation and storage projects.
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Next year the Hub will start storing excess rooftop solar and surplus energy from the grid, providing extra power at peak times to meet Victoria’s growing demand. It will be connected to three Renewable Energy Zones allowing more energy to connect to the grid – helping to accelerate the energy transition and drive down energy bills.
Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio said the project would help to unlock more renewable and affordable energy for Victorians.
“The SEC’s big battery will 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,” D’Ambrosio said.
The project will form a key part of the State Government’s transition to 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035.