Elon Musk Keeps Mega-Battery Promise to Australia

South African born and raised billionaire, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, has kept his promise to the South Australian (SA) government to make a mega-battery – the world’s largest lithium-ion battery ever – in 100 days!

According to the contract between the former Pretoria Boys’ High student and the SA government was that if he couldn’t complete the project within 100 days it would be free. The deadline was 1 December 2017.

Fortunately for Musk’s company, Tesla, they’ve completed the project with time to spare.

South Australia (SA) began looking for solutions after a major storm in September 2016 damaged critical infrastructure, causing a state-wide blackout and leaving 1.7 million residents without electricity.

Further blackouts occurred in the heat of the Australian summer in early 2017, leading the SA Government – known as a leader in renewable energy – to look for a sustainable solution to ensure energy security for all residents, now and into the future.

The government called for expressions of interest… which is when Musk famously tweeted: “Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you?”

His quoted price at the time was reportedly $25-50 million (depending on which report you read) for the battery packs.

In July, through a competitive bidding process, Tesla was selected (as seen in the tweet below).

South Australia is already leading the nation. Today, we lead the world. pic.twitter.com/1mEJoNC0ma

— Jay Weatherill (@JayWeatherill) July 7, 2017

“South Australia is set to have backup power in place this summer through the world’s largest lithium-ion battery, which is set to be energized for the first time in the coming days as it enters a phase of regulatory testing,” State Premier Jay Weatherill said in a statement on 23 November 2017.

The statement said: “Tesla Powerpacks, connected to [French company] Neoen’s Hornsdale windfarm, have now been fully installed on site, with the testing phase ensuring the battery is optimised and meets AEMO and South Australian Government requirements.

“Throughout this testing period, the battery will be providing system security services to South Australia.

“Premier Jay Weatherill will join representatives from Neoen, Tesla and Consolidated Power Projects next week to officially launch the battery, which has put South Australia and Jamestown on the map as a world leader in renewable energy with battery storage.”

Weatherill said: “An enormous amount of work has gone in to delivering this project in such a short time, and I look forward to visiting Jamestown next week to personally thank those who have worked on this project.”

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Elon Musk clinches world-breaking battery deal with South Australia