IF re-elected this October, ACT Labor will start work to deliver one of the biggest renewable battery storage systems in Australia.

“ACT Labor’s big Canberra battery will deliver at least 250MW of battery storage – ensuring lower electricity prices and a more stable and resilient power grid,” says Labor leader Andrew Barr.

“This major Canberra project will be significantly bigger than the Hornsdale Battery in South Australia, which is being upgraded to hold 150MW of storage.”

Mr Barr says ACT Labor wants Canberra to become a globally recognised centre for renewable energy innovation and investment.

His pledge comes after the ACT government announced, before the start of the caretaker period, that two large solar battery storage systems would be built in the territory under the terms of the government’s fifth renewable energy reverse auction.

“We think that Canberra can achieve something even bigger,” says Mr Barr of the five-year $100 million commitment.

“The global battery storage market is predicted to be worth $400 billion by 2030 and the ACT is an ideal launching pad for national and international businesses wanting to get a head start in this exciting emerging industry.

“Through our sustainable and resilient household scheme, which will see more Canberra households fit solar panels to their roofs, we will be generating a significant amount of renewable energy in this city.

“ACT Labor’s Big Canberra Battery will involve a distributed network of batteries that will be built around the city. As a combined network, this battery system can address network constraints, enable more Canberrans to have solar and shorten the pay-off period of domestic solar systems.

“After delivering 100 per cent renewable electricity, battery storage is the key next step to protect the ACT when fossil fuel generators fail during hot summers. ACT Labor recognises that low-cost energy storage is the missing-link in the transition to a 100 per cent renewable National Electricity Market.

“This investment will continue driving down energy costs, supporting sustainable national energy infrastructure, facilitate greater community participation in the renewables revolution and ensure economic and environmental benefits for the territory.”

Mr Barr says Labor will establish an expert team to lead procurement, determine suitable sites and ensure the new batteries provide the greatest economic and environmental benefits.

“This will include working with local communities on locations across the city, including co-location near local solar farms, proximity to the transmission network, and ACT Government sites such as the planned zero-emissions bus depot,” he says.