Milestone reached for Darwin and Katherine’s ‘big battery’ project

The Territory’s $45m big battery project has taken a significant step forward, with successful installation and progression to the first stages of pre-commissioning.

A major milestone has been reached for the Northern Territory’s $45m big battery project with the successful installation of all batteries and progression to the first stages of pre-commissioning.
The project includes 192 3.5-tonne batteries installed for the Darwin-Katherine Battery Energy Storage System (DK BESS) adjacent to Channel Island.

Network connected commissioning of the big battery is scheduled to start in late 2023 and it is expected to be complete and online in the 2023-24 financial year.
Territory Generation chief executive Gerhard Laubscher said it was a significant step forward in the project.

“We recognise commissioning is a complex and time intensive process, and we are working closely with all stakeholders to support the fastest possible progression of these activities,” Mr Laubscher said.

“The DK BESS is key to unlocking flexibility in our generation fleet.

“Once commissioned, it will be online continuously, helping to stabilise the impacts of solar and support the integration of more into the Darwin-Katherine grid.”

Renewables and Energy Minister Selena Uibo said the big battery would provide energy security for 150,000 households. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

The $45m project is expected to save Territorians $9.8m a year, increase energy reliability between Darwin and Katherine, and reduce the NT’s carbon emissions by about 58,000 tonnes a year.

Renewables and Energy Minister Selena Uibo said the battery meant the NT could reduce the number of gas turbines spinning and reduce fossil fuel consumption.

“When operating the big battery is expected to support system security for about 150,000 homes between Darwin and Katherine and it will provide Territorians with greater system reliability and cleaner, green energy.”

Hitachi Energy Country managing director Bernard Norton, Energy minister Selena Uibo and Chief Minister Natasha Fyles at Channel Island power station. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said investing in renewable energy “made economic and environmental sense”.

“The Territory Labor government is investing in DK BESS as an important step towards achieving 50 per cent renewable power by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050,” Ms Fyles said.  

“Ensuring Territorians have access to affordable electricity is a priority for our government, as is driving that shift to renewable energy.”