French renewable power producer Neoen SA (EPA:NEOEN) has won a government contract to build a 300-MW battery facility in Victoria, Australia.

The French firm will sign a contract with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced on Thursday. Called the Victorian Big Battery, the project will see Neoen install a huge lithium-ion battery system that will outstrip its 150MW/194MWh Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia. Again, batteries by Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) will be used.

To be located near the Moorabool Terminal Station, just outside Geelong, the battery is planned to become operational by the 2021-2022 summer season. Its construction is expected to open more than 85 jobs, the government said.

Neoen will cover all construction costs related to the project, as well as for its ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M).

The new installation is seen to help the Aussie state cut wholesale power prices and improve the reliability of its electricity network by lowering the chances for power outages, especially during the peak summer period. AEMO said separately that 250 MW of the battery’s capacity will be used to increase the power flow through the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector.

Source : Renewablesnow.com