Billionaires’ bet: Elon Musk says he can solve South Australia’s power problems in 100 days

ELON Musk has placed a million-dollar bet on South Australia’s power grid, saying he can fix its problems in 100 days.

Elon Musk believes he can fix South Australia’s power problems in 100 days. Picture: Jean-Baptiste Lacroix/AFP

ELON Musk has waged a million-dollar bet on South Australia’s electricity network, saying he can fix the state’s power problems in 100 days, with backing from Aussie billionaire Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes.

The two billionaires connected over Twitter after the head of Tesla’s battery division told ABC the company could solve South Australia’s power problems within 100 days.

Lyndon Rive floated the extraordinary possibility on Thursday: that Telsa could save South Australia’s electricity network by providing 100-300 megawatt hours of batteries within 100 days, to prop up the grid.

But Mr Musk upped the ante after Mr Cannon-Brookes tweeted him to ask “how serious are you about this bet?”, offering to get the money and political support for the plan.

The Telsa founder responded on Friday: “Telsa will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you?”

@mcannonbrookes Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2017

The matter appears to have escalated from there, with Mr Musk tweeting that he had spoken with the South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over the weekend.

Thanks @elonmusk for a great in depth discussion today about energy storage and it's role in delivering affordable & reliable electricity

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) March 12, 2017

@mcannonbrookes Just spoke with @JayWeatherill, Premier of South Australia. Very impressed. Govt is clearly committed to a smart, quick solution.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 11, 2017

Mr Cannon-Brookes called Mr Musk a “legend” and tweeted “you’re on mate. Give me 7 days to sort out politics & funding”. He also asked for a quote for approximately 100MW at “mates rates”.

Mr Musk quoted a price of US$250kWh at the pack level for 100MWh plus systems, about half the original price Mr Rive suggested of US$400-600. That price would have cost about US$50 million (A$66m) for a 100MWh system, making it around A$33 million for Mr Musk’s quote.

Later Mr Cannon-Brookes appeared to suggest he had enough financial support to build as many as 10 of the 100 megawatt hour battery farms.

The Twitter exchange has also seen other companies get in on the act and South Australia appears to be flooded with similar offers.

Zen Energy, based in Adelaide, has also stated it is ready to build a 100 megawatt hour battery farm in South Australia at a cost of $100 million, and which could be online by next summer, according to the Australian Financial Review.

Lyon Solar and Carnegie Energy have also indicated they could help.

Mr Cannon-Brookes tweeted he was “excited to see what comes this week” and he was not the only one.

⚡️☀️🌬️! On behalf of Australia's future, thank you @elonmusk & @TurnbullMalcolm for taking time to talk. Excited to see what comes this week https://t.co/T2A2gnRE1a

— Mike Cannon-Brookes (@mcannonbrookes) March 12, 2017

Prominent Australians as diverse as Father Bob Maguire, The Bachelor presenter Osher Gunsberg and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young praised the entrepreneurs for their efforts.

@elonmusk @Frankenleigen @mcannonbrookes @JayWeatherill Thanks your service to humanity...just a few good men/women for triumph of Good.

— FatherBob (@FatherBob) March 11, 2017

These guys know how to get stuff done! @elonmusk @mcannonbrookes https://t.co/Z2SgBU1hbX

— Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) March 11, 2017

@elonmusk @mcannonbrookes @JayWeatherill extraordinary. Please make this a showcase!

— Osher Günsberg (@oshergunsberg) March 11, 2017

While others marvelled at their speedy response.

@bartman6 - you seeing this??? New world of getting sh!t done @elonmusk @mcannonbrookes

— Pete Aspinall (@Pete_Aspi77) March 11, 2017

@elonmusk @mcannonbrookes @JayWeatherill Respect, guys. This is how to solve political problems. #getstuffdone

— julie boyd (@jboyded) March 11, 2017

@elonmusk @mcannonbrookes @JayWeatherill let's make Australia cool again!!!

— JP Thor (@JPThor3) March 11, 2017

Mr Musk thanked Mr Cannon-Brookes and the many other Aussies supporting the plan, saying it could only happen with government support.

Just wanted to write a note of appreciation to the many Australians who came out in support of the battery plan, especially @mcannonbrookes

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 12, 2017

.@mcannonbrookes Can only happen with your support, and working closely with key govt and utility leaders who are strongly committed to trying new approaches

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 12, 2017

Originally published as Billionaires’ bet: Elon Musk says he can solve South Australia’s power problems in 100 days