The ACT Government has given some detail on big new battery plans. 

The ACT has announced plans to build a 250 MW/500 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Williamsdale as part of its Big Canberra Battery project. 

The government has labelled the BESS a “renewable energy security” plan for the territory's electricity grid and expects it to create more local jobs. 

The project is being developed in partnership with energy storage company Eku Energy and will cost between $300 million and $400 million to develop and build. 

Construction is set to begin late next year with completion expected by 2025.

The BESS will be plugged into the National Electricity Market and send financial returns back to residents. 

According to ACT's chief minister, Andrew Barr, the goal of the wind and solar energy storage facility is to ensure the local electricity grid is supported during peak-use periods and in the event of network outages. 

The facility is expected to have the capacity to store enough renewable energy to power one-third of Canberra for two hours during peak demand periods.

Daniel Burrows, the chief investment officer and Asia Pacific director of Eku Energy, said the company was proud to be partnering with the government to achieve net-zero emissions in the Territory by 2045. 

“This brings our global portfolio of battery energy storage assets to over 4GWh,” he said.

Barr also highlighted that the ACT has delivered 100 per cent renewable electricity since 2020, and the Big Canberra Battery project builds on that achievement and demonstrates the viability of renewable energy in supporting a robust, affordable, and sustainable energy grid.