Amazon and 1414 Degrees expand Australian energy storage footprints

Amazon has signed its first Asia Pacific standalone battery storage tolling deal for a 50MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Australia. This agreement is a first-of-its-kind in the country for a non-energy business to contract for a standalone battery system. The project aims to support regional grid reliability and facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the National Electricity Market (NEM).

This deal is part of Amazon’s broader renewable energy strategy in Australia, which includes a commitment to expand data centre infrastructure. The company has invested in ten battery storage projects across Australia, primarily in Victoria, with a combined capacity of 368MW upon completion.

Separately, Australian thermal storage developer 1414 Degrees has taken full ownership of the Aurora Energy Precinct near Port Augusta, South Australia. The company secured control by acquiring Vast Solar Aurora, a subsidiary of Vast Renewables, which entered administration late last year. 1414 Degrees intends to use the site to pilot its proprietary silicon-based thermal energy storage system (TESS-GRID technology), which is designed to provide electricity firming services for up to eight hours.