THE State Government has welcomed a 50MW increase in the capacity of the Heywood interconnector, which will help reduce the threat of blackouts in South Australia this summer and add further downward pressure to electricity prices for households and businesses.
The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) decision to increase the limit of electricity that can be transmitted across the Heywood interconnector from 600MW to 650MW is a result of the performance of the Hornsdale Power Reserve owned by Neoen.
AEMO has decided to increase the carrying capacity of the Heywood interconnector as a result of the Hornsdale battery’s successful inclusion in the System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS) designed to protect the Heywood interconnector from tripping.
“An additional 50MW of electricity will provide invaluable additional capacity on our hottest days when electricity demand is at its peak and the system is vulnerable to blackouts,” Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan said.
“The increase in the capacity of the Heywood interconnector also brings greater competition into the South Australian electricity market and the benefits of reduced prices for South Australian households and businesses.
“This announcement highlights the importance of the government’s push for greater storage capacity to be attached to South Australia’s abundant renewable energy sources and additional interconnection to New South Wales.
“The recent AEMO South Australian Electricity Report highlighted the importance of the Marshall Government’s Home Battery Scheme, interconnection to New South Wales and grid scale storage.
“Under the Home Battery Scheme, up to 40,000 households will benefit from reduced electricity prices as a result of the grants of up to $6000 for a home battery and low interest loans for the balance of home energy schemes.
“The installation of 40,000 batteries will reduce demand on the network, which will ultimately result in lower prices for all South Australian households.”
