Independent renewable energy producer Neoen has won its fourth Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government contract, which will see it supply 100MW to the state for 14 years, using wind energy from Neoen’s Goyder Renewables Zone located in South Australia.
As part of the 14-year contract, the ACT will be supplied from Stage 1 of the Goyder wind farm, and Neoen will also build a battery storage facility of at least 50MW in Canberra, where residents will have the opportunity to invest and become financial stakeholders of the project.
The ACT is internationally recognised as being a 100 per cent renewable electricity jurisdiction as it aims to reach a net zero emissions targe by 2045.
Neoen Australia’s managing director Louis de Sambucy said the team was delighted to be awarded another long-term contract with the ACT Government, and proud to be helping the nation’s capital maintain its renewable energy taget.
With over half of Neoen’s team working from our Canberra office, it is a ‘home win’ and we look forward to deepening our commitment and contribution to the ACT’s energy system and inviting the community to invest alongside us,” said de Sambucy.
“The Goyder Renewables Zone that supports this contract is a landmark project that will not only provide a significant boost to the South Australian economy but will also allow all Canberrans to benefit from clean, reliable and affordable electricity.”
The Goyder Renewables Zone continues to proceed through its formal development approval process and is expected to commence construction in 2022 for the first stage.
Neoen first won an ACT wind auction in 2015. It is also taking its existing partnership with Canberra Institute of Technology’s Renewable Energy Skills Centre of Excellence to the next stage as the two co-develop programs in cyber security for renewables, Indigenous land care and hydrogen.
“The ACT has been an Australian leader in being powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity and we are using reverse auctions like this to make sure we continue this as our city expands and our power consumption increases,” said ACT minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury.
“The batteries will also help support the territory’s own grid, particularly providing power to help avoid blackouts during periods of high demand and when large fossil fuel generators fail in heatwave conditions.”
The company’s work with ANU (Australian National University) on “an industry-leading research project focused on grid-scale battery performance optimisation” will also soon begin, as well as a feasibility study for a solar panel and/or battery recycling facility.