$160m contract to install Collie Battery Energy Storage System battery given to Perth-based SCEE Electrical

A Perth-based contractor has been chosen to undertake a $160 million installation job as part of the Collie Battery Energy Storage System project.

SCEE Electrical was picked by Synergy to undertake the monster task of installing hundreds of units set to be completed by late 2025.

A total of 640 battery container units and 160 inverters will be installed and connected through 220km of high-voltage cabling.

The company will also manage a laydown facility for the batteries’ delivery at Bunbury Port.

At its completion the battery system will be one of the biggest in the world, according to the State Government.

It is planned to produce 500 megawatts at a 2000 megawatt hour capacity.

Energy Minister Reece Whitby said the announcement was an important step for an important project.

“This contract will mean more jobs for Western Australians and be of great benefit to the local economy,” he said.

“Synergy’s Collie battery will be a major piece of infrastructure when complete and will play a critical role in Western Australia achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”

SCEE Group managing director Graeme Dunn said the project was the company’s biggest contract to date.

“I am delighted that SCEE Electrical has been awarded this project which will form such a vital part of Western Australia’s decarbonisation infrastructure and we welcome the opportunity to work with Synergy to safely deliver them a quality product,” he said.

“Across the SCEE Group we have so many touch points into Australia’s path to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 but the scale of this award firmly positions us as a significant part of that energy transition.

“Indeed, this project is the largest initial award by contract value in the group’s history, even surpassing the initial value of the Western Sydney International Airport terminal awarded to Heyday in 2021.”

Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said the town would benefit from the project.

“Collie’s Big Battery project will ensure Collie remains vital to the ongoing energy needs of Western Australians,” she said.

“Collie has played an important role in the energy sector over the past century and will continue to be at the heart of the energy system well into the future.”