ACT Labor's promise to build the largest renewable energy battery storage system in the country has been lauded by environmental groups and met with indifference by the Canberra Liberals.
Australia Institute's climate and energy program director Richie Merzian said the proposed battery network, which would cost taxpayers $100 million and store at least 250MW, would rival the largest in world and would be over double the size of the original TESLA Hornsdale big battery in South Australia.
"Batteries, when powered by renewable electricity, provide clean, affordable, dispatchable electricity that will only help lower power prices for Canberrans," Mr Merzian said.
"The ACT has the most ambitious emission reduction plan in Australia, to hit net zero by 2045 and it's great to see equally ambitious projects to deliver on that target like big batteries and shifting away from using fossil gas."
Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said the battery project would generate jobs while tackling climate change.
"It is great to see the ACT Government use this unique time to commit to the jobs and industries of the future," she said.
The battery system would be distributed across the ACT and involve public and private sector investment.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said there was potential for batteries to be built as part of planned electric bus depots, on school campuses, as part of businesses and adjacent to large solar farms and transmission lines.
"It's a job generator, a revenue generator, a response to climate change and sets Canberra up for a secure energy future."
Mr Barr could not say how long it would take for the battery system to pay for itself, but the South Australian Hornsdale power reserve had generated more than $150 million over about three years.
He said some parts of the battery would come online progressively within the five-year timeframe.
When Canberra Liberals leader Alistair Coe was asked if his party would match the promise, he said the Liberals supported 100 per cent renewable energy and were committed to planting more trees if elected.
"The Canberra Liberals have already announced a very ambitious environment policy that includes planting a million trees, a green space guarantee, properly funding LandCare for practical environmental solutions and ensuring the future of ACT Wildlife so we can [protect] injured and orphaned animals across the ACT," Mr Coe said.
