Unable To Provide Electricity Supply, Australian Energy Regulator Sues Neoen SA,

The largest battery power plant in South Australia, owned by Neoen. (photo: neoen)

JAKARTA - The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has filed a lawsuit against Neoen SA, saying Tesla and the French company "Battery-powered" company did not provide back-up power for four months in 2019, in South Australia even though it had received a payment contract. .

Neoen said he was disappointed with AER's decision. But they did not want to comment on the allegations.

On-demand power from storage is critical to preventing blackouts in Australia, which increasingly relies on wind and solar power generation for which energy is not always available.

The Hornsdale Neoen Power Reserve was the world's largest battery when it was powered on in 2017. The plant, built after Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk said his company could prevent blackouts in South Australia with "Megapack" batteries.

AER said the Hornsdale Power Reserve had offered to provide market services and was asked by the Australian Energy Market Operator to deliver power in July to November 2019 during frequency disruptions - or power cuts to the grid - but energy was not being supplied as needed.

"It is critical that generators do what they say they can do if we are to keep the lights on through the market transition to variable renewable generation," said AER Chairman Clare Savage.

Neoen Australia Managing Director Louis de Sambucy said the Hornsdale Power Reserve had proven to be a "critical component of South Australia's power grid".

"While we are disappointed by AER's decision, we will continue to maintain our collaborative relationship with them," it said in a statement.

AER's action comes as Neoen faces a potential delay with its largest battery in Australia, the 450 megawatt Victoria Big Battery, following a fire in one of its Tesla Megapacks.

The Victorian Big Battery will be lit in time for the southern hemisphere summer, which begins in December.