Over $3.7b battery storage projects compete for ARENA funding

ARENA has invited 12 projects to apply for $100m funding. 

More than $3.7b worth of battery storage projects is competing to get up to $100m funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The ARENA has invited 12 projects with a total of more than 3 gigawatts of capacity to submit a full application for the funding that aims to strengthen grid-scale batteries in the country. 

“The 12 shortlisted projects represented the strongest of an impressive field and we’re looking forward to seeing their full applications,” ARENA Acting CEO Chris Faris said. 

READ MORE: ARENA grants $14m funding for AGL’s Broken Hill battery project

The 12 shortlisted grid-scale batteries were from a pool of 54 Expressions of Interest (EOIs). 

Under the competitive round, the shortlisted projects will compete for the funding to support new build projects as well as retrofits for existing batteries nationally, with each battery to be at least 70MW.

ARENA has previously supported grid-scale batteries, such as Electranet’s ESCRI project, which remains the largest operating grid-forming battery in Australia.

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The Hornsdale Power Reserve and Wallgrove are both expected to implement advanced inverter capability before the end of the year. It will also be funding AGL’s Broken Hill battery.