The battery had begun dispatching some power into the state’s electricity network on Thursday afternoon as temperatures rose above 30C.
The state’s premier, Jay Weatherill, flicked the switch at Jamestown on Friday, saying it was history in the making. “I want to express my gratitude to the workers who have constructed this battery, they have every right to be proud of what they have constructed,” he said in a statement.
“South Australia is now leading the world in dispatchable renewable energy, delivered to homes and businesses 24/7,” Weatherill said.
In a dig at his critics in the federal government, he added: “While others are just talking, we are delivering our energy plan, making South Australia more self-sufficient, and providing back up power and more affordable energy for South Australians this summer.
“The world’s largest lithium ion battery will be an important part of our energy mix, and it sends the clearest message that South Australia will be a leader renewable energy with battery storage.”
The battery is paired to the neighbouring Hornsdale Wind Farm, owned by French company Neoen, to bring greater reliability and stability to the state’s electricity grid.
It has the capacity to power 30,000 homes for up to an hour in the event of a blackout, but is more likely to be called into action to even out electricity supplies at less critical times.
Its production was brought about after a Twitter exchange between Musk and Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, who challenged the Tesla boss to end SA’s energy problems.
Musk responded that if he couldn’t build a 100-megawatt battery in 100 days from signing the contract, he would provide it for free.
Tesla easily beat the deadline, finishing the project in about 60 days, though it did get a head start on construction.
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