Big Canberra Battery – Williamsdale BESS

Funding: $300 million +

Big batteries work by storing surplus electricity when there’s less demand for it. The batteries then distribute stored electricity when it’s needed.

This is often in the early evenings when demand peaks and the sun is no longer shining.

The large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) will provide at least 250 megawatts (MW) of power.

This is enough energy to power one-third of Canberra for two hours during peak demand periods.

This stored energy will be used to support our electricity grid.

Current update

• The Big Canberra battery transformer was delivered to the Williamsdale site in early September 2025.
• The transformer ensures electricity stored in the battery is converted to the correct voltage to be safely supplied to the grid.
• This allows renewable energy to flow to homes and business across Canberra when demand is high and solar generation drops.
• Construction is now underway on concrete bases for the batteries and the main switching building.
• Installation is underway on behind-the-meter batteries at nine sites.

Overview

The Big Canberra Battery project will deliver an ecosystem of batteries across the ACT to ensure that our electricity grid remains stable.

The Big Canberra Battery project includes the installation of:

• a large-scale battery energy storage system in Williamsdale
• installation of behind-the-meter batteries at nine government sites.

The large-scale battery storage system will deliver 250 megawatts (MW) of power, store renewable energy and support grid reliability. Enough energy to power one-third of Canberra for two hours during peak demand periods.

The ACT Government has partnered with Eku Energy as the energy partner for the Williamsdale BESS project.

The Williamsdale BESS will be developed, built, and operated by Eku Energy.

Eku Energy is a specialist developer of large-scale battery energy storage systems, with experience designing, delivering and operating similar projects in Australia.

More information on Eku Energy is available on the Eku Energy website.

Community benefits

• supports 150 local jobs at peak construction
• reduces reliance on fossil fuels
• secures a reliable and affordable electricity system
• helps Canberra become a net-zero emissions city
• increases local employment in the renewable energy sector
• improves energy security for Canberrans.
• provides access to stored energy during peak times for homes and businesses
• provides a cost effective and sustainable solution to manage population growth.

Community engagement

A workshop was held with industry and the Australian National University to explore ideas about how the Big Canberra Battery will work.

The workshop received 42 submissions from key stakeholders and industry. This process showed strong support for a Big Canberra Battery.

You can read more in the report.

Stay up to date

For more information visit the Climate Choices website.

If you have questions about this project, email the project team at batterystorage@act.gov.au

To receive update on the Big Canberra Battery Project, click here.

Contact us

Contact us at: batterystorage@act.gov.au

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