Neoen, one of the world’s leading producers of exclusively
renewable energy, has taken less than one year to build and start operating its 300 MW / 450 MWh Victorian
Big Battery, one of the largest batteries in the world. The battery storage facility is located next to Moorabool
Terminal Station in Geelong, Victoria. It was delivered in collaboration with Tesla, deploying its Megapack
technology, and network partner AusNet Services.
The Victorian Big Battery has a 250 MW System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS) contract with the
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Initiated by the Victorian Government, the scheme unlocks up
to 250 MW of additional peak capacity on the existing Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector (VNI)
over the next decade of Australian summers. Under the contract, the battery will provide an automatic instant
response in the event of an unexpected network outage, providing AEMO with an additional means of
ensuring grid stability. The battery will also participate in the National Electricity Market and support
increased penetration of renewables in Victoria through network services such as fast frequency control.
The Victorian Big Battery will contribute to the modernisation of the Victorian electricity network and will be
instrumental in helping the State reach its target of 50% renewables by 2030. Independent analysis predicts
that for every $1 invested the battery will deliver $2.40 in benefits to Victorian households and businesses.
The battery has also brought a significant economic boost to the Geelong region through the Covid lockdown
period, creating over 150 construction jobs and 6 full time permanent positions. Local suppliers have been
contracted for multiple elements of the project and community initiatives will be supported through an annual
Community Benefit Fund over the asset’s lifetime.
Louis de Sambucy, Neoen Australia’s Managing Director said: “We are extremely proud to have
delivered the largest battery in Australia in record time. I would like to thank everyone who has worked
tirelessly to make this happen; our partners at Tesla and AusNet, UGL and Downer, as well as AEMO and
the Victorian Government. We are honoured to be contributing a project of this scale and innovation. With
2 GW of projects in our pipeline in Victoria, we are committed to continuing to play our part in Victoria’s
renewable energy transition.”
The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change said: “The
Victorian Government is proud to flick the switch on Australia’s biggest battery which will help protect our
network in summer, support our renewable revolution, and slash energy prices. Neoen's battery is a fantastic
achievement as Victoria transitions to our legislated targets of 50 per cent renewables by 2030 and net zero
by 2050.”
Daniel Westerman, AEMO’s CEO, commented: “AEMO’s partnership with the Victorian Government and
Neoen has delivered one of the world’s largest batteries, which will enable a more reliable and secure
electricity supply for Victorian consumers.”
Xavier Barbaro, Neoen’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer concluded: “The delivery of the
Victorian Big Battery is a major achievement for Neoen, not only because it is one of the largest batteries in
the world, but also because it represents another key milestone in terms of innovation. Our journey in
storage began in Australia in 2015 and we now have over half a gigawatt of storage operating across 3
continents. We are convinced that large-scale battery storage is a vital element of the energy transition, and
we are proud of our leadership in this sector. We will continue to build on our experience to deliver world-
leading solutions that help to shape and transform the grid of the future, for the benefit of industry and
consumers across Australia and around the globe.”