The Northern Territory Government has announced a second large-scale battery storage project on the heels of a major milestone at the $45 million Darwin-Katherine Battery Energy Storage System (DK BESS).
Related article: Darwin-Katherine big battery ready for pre-commissioning
To further support the Territory grid, expressions of interest have been opened for the DK BESS 2 project. Assessment of submissions is underway to understand industry capability, and successful applicants will be asked to put forward a proposal for the project.
The DK BESS 2 project will see large-scale batteries distributed across locations on the Darwin-Katherine power system to boost capability and assure the security of the Territory power grid.
The Territory Government also said announced a major milestone had been reached at DKJ BESS, with all 192 batteries, each weighing 3.5 tonnes, now installed, with construction and pre-commissioning also complete.
Together, these two BESS projects satisfy Darwin-Katherine Electricity System Plan requirements for the installation of up to 105MW of high-specification batteries.
A major part of the Darwin-Katherine Electricity System Plan, the first DK BESS is forecast to deliver cost savings of around $9.8 million per year, paying for itself in about five years from connection to the grid, and delivering annual carbon emission savings of 58,000 tonnes.
Territory Minister for Renewables and Energy Kate Worden said, “This project will secure our energy supply for Territorians and stabilise our grid as we move towards integrating more renewable energy into our power use.
Related article: Hitachi wins Darwin-Katherine BESS tender
“As we move towards a future where renewable energy will play a greater part in our power supply, the DK BESS and DK BESS 2 projects will facilitate a major port of this change.
“By owning Territory Generation and Power and Water, the Territory Labor Government can assure Territorians we will keep power prices down.”
