The first quarter of 2025 was the second best on record for investment in large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Australia, with six projects worth $2. 4 billion in total reaching the financial commitment stage – delivering an extra 1.
What is Australia's energy storage capacity?
Australia had 2,325MW of capacity in 2022 and this is expected to rise to 22,076MW by 2030. Listed below are the five largest energy storage projects by capacity in Australia, according to GlobalData's power database. GlobalData uses proprietary data and analytics to provide a complete picture of the global energy storage segment.
Are Australia's large-scale battery energy storage projects attracting federal support?
The volume of large-scale battery energy storage projects under construction in Australia passed that of solar and wind projects combined in 2023 and the trend has intensified this year, with batteries attracting federal support. As coal-fired power plants are shuttered, developers and suppliers are enjoying a battery bonanza.
Energy storage systems, such as big batteries, are a critical part of Australia's future energy mix and act as a reliable back-up system allowing us to store renewable energy for when it is needed most and keep the lights on under all conditions. It's great to see the high levels of investment we've seen over the past couple of years continue.
The Geelong Big Battery Energy Storage System is a 300,000kW lithium-ion battery energy storage project located in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The rated storage capacity of the project is 450,000kWh. The electro-chemical battery storage project uses lithium-ion battery storage technology. The project will be commissioned in 2021.
Will Australia's NEM see a massive increase in battery energy storage capacity?
Australia's NEM will see a massive increase in grid-scale battery energy storage capacity in the next three years. There are 16.8 GW of battery projects that could come online in the National Electricity Market (NEM) by the end of 2027.
Global energy storage capacity was estimated to have reached 36,735MW by the end of 2022 and is forecasted to grow to 353,880MW by 2030. Australia had 2,325MW of capacity in 2022 and this is expected to rise to 22,076MW by 2030.