Jay Weatherill says Tesla has finished installing powerpacks and 100-megawatt battery will now be energised and tested

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The world’s largest lithium-ion battery, which is being built in South Australia by Tesla to store renewable energy, is about to enter final testing.

The premier, Jay Weatherill, said Elon Musk’s Tesla company had finished installing the battery powerpacks at Jamestown, in the state’s mid-north, where they are linked to an adjacent windfarm.

He said the 100-megawatt battery will now be energised and tested to ensure it meets all energy market and state government regulatory requirements.

Elon Musk's big battery for South Australia already half complete Read more

The premier said the battery would be up and running in time for summer to provide backup power and to help bring stability to the state’s electricity network.

“While others are just talking, we are delivering our energy plan, making South Australia more self-sufficient and providing backup power and more affordable energy for South Australians this summer,” he said.

“The world’s largest lithium-ion battery will be an important part of our energy mix and it sends the clearest message that South Australia will be a leader in renewable energy with battery storage.”

Other elements of SA’s $530m energy plan include the installation of government-owned emergency generation and support for a solar thermal power plant at Port Augusta.

The plan was launched after last year’s statewide blackout during severe storms and after a significant load-shedding event across Adelaide earlier this year.

The Tesla battery will be officially launched next week.