Former coal hub Collie is making a major transition to renewable energy. Photo: Western Australian Government.
Collie is playing a central part in Western Australia’s planned role as a renewable energy powerhouse, with the town now hosting WA’s largest state-owned battery.
The Cook Labor State Government has invested in Collie’s Just Transition Plan in recent years, with nearly $700 million going towards job-creating initiatives, including training and workforce development at the town’s Jobs and Skills Centre.
In addition, more than $1.6 billion has been invested through Synergy in the Collie Battery Energy Storage System (CBESS), opposite the Collie Power System.
The CBESS features 500 megawatts of storage and is capable of 2400 megawatt hours of output, enough to power 785,000 homes for more than four hours, making it one of the largest in the country.
It represents the third grid-scale battery delivered by the State Government in just over three years. The government said its plan to exit from state-owned coal by 2030 and bring online large-scale renewable energy generation and storage would reduce prices.
Such developments also add to the government’s popular $337 million WA Residential Battery Scheme, which has helped more than 10,000 homes install batteries, relieving cost-of-living pressures through reduced power bills. The scheme has funding for 100,000 batteries to be installed.
Collie and its significant coal assets have been vital to the state’s power system for decades, and the Cook Government hopes to retain the town as a key part of the state’s energy infrastructure, as outlined in Collie’s Just Transition Plan 2026-2030.
“Collie has played a vital role in powering Western Australia for decades, and under my government, it will continue to do so,” Premier Roger Cook said.
“Not only is the town now home to Australia’s biggest batteries, but its future has also been bolstered by our updated Just Transition Plan, which will provide further certainty to the local workforce.”
Developed in partnership with the Just Transition Working Group, the plan is guiding Collie through a change that will continue to evolve and empower communities.
More information can be found on the WA Government website here.
