WA’s first large-scale battery.
Kwinana Battery Energy Storage Stage 1 (KBESS1) is the first transmission connected battery energy storage system (BESS) in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). It has been developed to help manage stability in the grid and ensure reliable and effective power supply to the wider region.
The project was developed by Synergy, with funding provided by the State and Federal Governments
Location
KBESS1 and its associated substation are located at the existing Kwinana Power Station site, which has been undergoing decommissioning since 2016.
This site is located within the suburb of Naval Base on the Swan Coastal Plain, approximately 30km southwest of the Perth central business district, 17km south of Fremantle and 5.5km northwest of the Kwinana town centre.
The site is located within one of WA’s most important industrial areas. The land is comprised within the local government districts of Cockburn, Kwinana and Rockingham within the Kwinana Strategic Industrial Area.
KBESS1 connects to the 330kV Western Power transmission system via existing infrastructure at the site and a new 330/33kV substation.
Layout and size
The BESS layout for KBESS1 sits across a space of around 103m in length and 123m in width, equivalent to two soccer fields. It contains 608 separate, modularised batteries which are designed to help enhance stability and security of the network, to reduce the risk of electricity supply interruptions
KBESS1 has a generating capacity of 100MW/200MWh, which makes it capable of powering up to 160,000 average homes in WA for approximately two hours.
Status
KBESS1 was successfully commissioned in September 2023. It is currently playing a significant role in maintaining energy security in WA's South West Interconnected System (SWIS).
Key project dates
| May 2021 | Development approval obtained |
| July 2021 | Batteries delivered to site |
| August 2021 | Site works commenced |
| November 2021 | Site works continued |
| September 2023 | Commissioned |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does this project benefit WA?
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KBESS1 is used to help balance supply and demand in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), assisting with network stability and security and helping to reduce the risk of outages and electricity supply interruptions.
- How does the KBESS1 work?
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KBESS1 charges by absorbing excess electricity produced by solar PV systems during the day. It stores this energy and then discharges electricity into the network during periods of peak demand and later in the evening. This is when there is a higher demand for electricity in the grid, as the sun sets and the wind subsides in many locations. The battery is designed to charge and discharge quickly, to assist in managing volatility in supply and demand.
- Why was Kwinana chosen as the location for this project?
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Kwinana is an ideal location as it enables KBESS1 to connect to the 330kV transmission system in the area. Land and existing network infrastructure was available at the decommissioned Kwinana Power Station site which was deemed suitable for the requirements of the project.
- How big is KBESS1?
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The battery is 103m in length and 123m in width – around the size of 14 tennis courts. The facility has 100MW of power capacity and 200MWh of storage capacity, which makes it capable of powering up to 160,000 average homes in WA for approximately two hours.
- Is this the only Government-owned big battery for WA?
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The SWIS is likely to need multiple battery energy storage solutions to support the retirement of Synergy's coal-fired power stations. Construction of KBESS2 is complete and operational testing is underway. Collie BESS Stage 1 is in construction and is expected to be completed in 2025.
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