Food businesses could boost SA's energy capacity

The South Australian Government will invest $2 million together with $2 million from Enel X to provide cheaper, more reliable electricity by utilising backup generators owned by 40 South Australian businesses. The $4 million Backup Boost Program is designed to provide reliable electricity to South Australia. Enabling businesses to use backup generators and supply the electricity market is expected to provide an additional revenue stream for the businesses, while lowering prices for SA citizens.

“The plan to utilise backup generation that are virtually idle mirrors the Marshall government’s decision to allow the state government’s 276 megawatts of backup generation to operate in the electricity market. I suspect many of these generators were purchased in the wake of the reliability problems that plagued South Australia’s electricity grid under the former Labor government. It is common sense to make use of resources that are currently under-utilised for the benefit of both the owners of the assets and the wider community,” said Dan van Holst Pellekaan, Minister for Energy and Mining.

The program is expected to bring 20 megawatts of demand side generation capacity into the National Electricity Market (NEM) over the three-year trial, supporting approximately 40 commercial and industrial businesses across agribusiness, food processing, health, manufacturing, data storage and more.

“Participating businesses will use their backup generator as a flexible asset in the energy market. This allows them to actively manage energy consumption and costs, earn revenue and maximise their investment in backup generation. Increasing use of these assets which can lay idle means better use of capital,” said Jeff Renaud, Head of Enel X Asia and Oceania.

Enel X encourages businesses to join the Backup Boost program, with no upfront costs to businesses looking to participate.

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