Pacific Green, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, has set its sights on the development of South Australia’s largest grid-scale battery energy park on the Limestone Coast.
The proposed project, known as the Limestone Coast Energy Park, is positioned to become a cornerstone in South Australia’s renewable energy landscape, the company said in a news release.
Having secured exclusive rights to a strategically located site adjacent to the 275 kVA South East Substation, Pacific Green envisions the Limestone Coast Energy Park as a robust energy storage facility.
The centrepiece of this project will be a cutting-edge 0.5 GW / 1.5 GWh battery, boasting the capacity to store nearly 60 per cent of South Australia’s residential solar output for up to a 4-hour period.
This development is poised to enhance the region’s grid stability and contribute to the reduction of energy costs for South Australian consumers.
Notably, the South East Substation’s connection to the Heywood Interconnector, facilitating power exchange between South Australia and Victoria, will enable the Limestone Coast Energy Park to play a pivotal role in charging and discharging excess renewable energy to and from Victoria.
This bi-directional energy flow further emphasises the interconnected and collaborative nature of Australia’s renewable energy landscape.
According to Pacific Green, the Limestone Coast Energy Park is not merely an infrastructure project; it’s a key player in South Australia’s journey towards a net-zero future.
Once operational, the park is projected to prevent approximately 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
This will be achieved by strategically discharging renewable power to the grid during evening peak times and overnight, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem.
Joel Alexander, Pacific Green managing director in Australia expressed his enthusiasm for expanding the company’s portfolio into the state.
He mentioned that South Australia, with the highest adoption of renewable generation among all states in Australia, provides an exciting opportunity.
“Our Limestone Coast Battery Energy Park can act as a load during the day, increasing the viability of even more solar and wind generation, whilst shifting energy to the times it is most valuable in the evening peak,” he noted.
“This momentum allows us to accelerate progress towards South Australia achieving 100% net renewables by 2030,” Alexander concluded.
The project is currently undergoing a Development Application with the South Australian Government, with construction slated to commence in 2024.
