Western Australia's renewable energy landscape is set for a significant boost as Alinta Energy unveils plans for a massive battery storage facility to accompany its proposed wind farm project in the state's southwest.
Major Renewable Energy Project Takes Shape
The energy provider has submitted plans to the state government for what could become one of Western Australia's largest integrated renewable energy developments. The proposal includes constructing a giant battery storage system alongside the previously announced Marri Wind Farm near the Darkan region, approximately 250 kilometres south of Perth.
Alinta Energy's ambitious project represents a major step forward in the state's transition to cleaner energy sources. The combined wind farm and battery storage facility is designed to provide reliable, renewable power to thousands of Western Australian households while supporting grid stability across the South West Interconnected System.
Project Specifications and Capacity
The proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) would feature an impressive capacity of 300 megawatts with the ability to discharge power for up to four hours, equivalent to 1,200 megawatt-hours of stored energy. This substantial storage capacity would allow the facility to capture excess energy generated during peak wind conditions and release it during periods of high demand or low generation.
When combined with the Marri Wind Farm's proposed up to 160 wind turbines, the entire project could generate enough electricity to power approximately 200,000 Western Australian homes. The wind farm component alone is expected to have a generation capacity between 600 and 800 megawatts, making it one of the state's most significant renewable energy initiatives.
Strategic Importance for WA's Energy Future
This integrated renewable energy project comes at a crucial time for Western Australia's power system. The state government has been actively encouraging investment in renewable generation and storage capacity to support its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 while ensuring energy reliability.
The location of the proposed development in Western Australia's southwest positions it strategically within the state's main electricity grid. This allows the facility to contribute significantly to grid stability while harnessing the region's consistent wind resources. The battery component specifically addresses the intermittent nature of wind power by storing energy for use when needed most.
Alinta Energy has been progressively developing its renewable energy portfolio across Australia, with this latest proposal representing one of its most substantial investments in Western Australia's clean energy transition. The project aligns with growing consumer and regulatory demand for sustainable power solutions and demonstrates the increasing viability of large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.
If approved, construction could commence as early as 2025, with the project potentially operational by 2028. The development would create hundreds of jobs during construction and provide ongoing employment opportunities for maintenance and operations staff once completed.
This proposal marks another milestone in Western Australia's evolving energy landscape, showcasing how traditional energy companies are adapting to embrace renewable technologies and support the state's decarbonisation goals while maintaining reliable power supply for homes and businesses.
