The AER has granted Evoenergy a ring-fencing waiver until 30 June 2041 for services to the Williamsdale (ACT) large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS).
The AER has waived Evoenergy’s obligations under clauses 4.2.1(a), 4.2.2(a) and 4.2.3 of the Ring-fencing guideline (electricity distribution). This will allow Evoenergy to use the same staff, offices, systems and branding it uses for direct control services when providing negotiated distribution services to the battery energy storage system.
The new 250 MW battery will connect to Evoenergy’s dual-function assets in Williamsdale, ACT. These are distribution network assets operating between 66 kV and 220 kV that run in parallel with, and support, the higher-voltage transmission network.
The Williamsdale battery is being delivered through the Big Canberra Battery project, a partnership between the ACT Government and a third-party proponent supporting the ACT’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
We assessed Evoenergy’s application and found no risk of discrimination and any potential cross-subsidisation risk has been mitigated. Evoenergy is the sole provider and will deliver the services in the same way as its existing shared distribution services.
Our decision is consistent with the National Electricity Objective. It supports the efficient operation and use of electricity services in the ACT and the National Electricity Market, and the ACT’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. We balanced the long-term interests of consumers against the potential effects on contestable markets and the costs of strict compliance with the guideline.