South Australia's Premier hopes Elon Musk battery project will trigger more investment

The star power of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk may lead to other high-powered investors targeting South Australia after the entrepreneur secured the deal to build the world's biggest battery in the state's north, Premier Jay Weatherill says.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk (left) and SA Premier Jay Weatherill

Tesla CEO Elon Musk (left) and SA Premier Jay Weatherill Source: AAP

Elon Musk is confident of delivering the world's biggest battery in South Australia and Premier Jay Weatherill says the deal has brought global attention.

Mr Weatherill says Mr Musk's confidence in dealing with SA has already focused global attention on the state.

"When billionaire investors like Elon Musk decide to invest in a place other people around the world pay attention," Mr Weatherill said on Saturday.

"They make their decisions based on what he thinks and what he says.
"This puts us at the centre of start-ups, at the centre of entrepreneurs wanting to do new things in new ways because we've sent the message to the world that we're a jurisdiction that's open to that sort of investment."

Mr Musk's company Tesla will build the 100 megawatt lithium ion battery within 100 days, or deliver it free.

He's clearly pumped by the opportunity, tweeting "Australia rocks" after speaking with media in Adelaide on Friday.

Tesla will partner with French renewable energy group Neoen, locating the facility near Jamestown in SA's mid-north.

It will be paired with Neoen's existing Hornsdale Wind Farm to store energy, stabilise and bring added security to SA's electricity grid, and put downward pressure on prices.

It forms a key part of the state government's $550 million energy plan, which was developed in response to last year's statewide blackout.

The clock will start ticking on Mr Musk's 100-day commitment once regulators approve the project, clearing it for grid connection.

Mr Musk said he was confident he could deliver on his promise but admitted the project was not without risk.
"This is not like a minor foray into the frontier. This is going three times further than anyone has gone before," he said.

Mr Weatherill said the Tesla bid was "head and shoulders" above the 89 other submissions the government received.

However, he said the 100-day guarantee was not crucial in the equation.

"Obviously it's a very bold commitment and it does demonstrate how serious they are," the premier said.

"But really there were a number of factors, the price, our assessment of their capacity to deliver it and the other industry benefits that flow from this offer."

No details have yet been revealed on the price of the battery but the premier has indicated the state had got a very good deal.

He will travel to see the Jamestown location on Sunday.


Share
3 min read
Published 8 July 2017 12:36pm
Updated 8 July 2017 4:26pm
Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends