Synergy: Supporting Collie’s transition to net zero

Published: November 03, 2025

Synergy’s role in Collie

Synergy, Western Australia’s leading provider of electricity and gas, has played an important role in the Collie community for more than 60 years, powering homes and providing jobs.

As the energy landscape evolves, Synergy continues to play a key role in Collie’s future through the Collie Battery Energy Storage System (CBESS).

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a key part of the energy transition. They store energy from various sources, such as renewable energy (solar power or wind energy) or the grid, and is then discharge it when demand for electricity peaks, usually in the evening.

Learn more about battery energy storage systems

Synergy’s CBESS will provide 500 megawatts (MW) of power for up to 4 hours with 2000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage, meaning it will be able to power 785,000 homes for 4 hours.

Synergy Executive General Manager of Strategy and Corporate Affairs, Jason Froud said the CBESS will quietly do its job behind the scenes and will keep energy flowing in the state.

‘The battery is going to benefit everyday Western Australians because it’s going to enable them to use the solar on their roofs and feed into the system. It’s doing its job when you don’t know it’s there,’ he said.

Collie at the heart of WA’s energy transition

Collie has played an important role in the energy sector over the past century and projects like the CBESS will ensure the region continues to be at the heart of the energy system well into the future.

Jason said the Collie battery will play a significant role in the energy transition in Collie and Western Australia.

‘The CBESS will be pivotal in making sure we’ve got energy security in the system moving forward as we transition to renewable energy,’ he said.

Job creation

Manager of Major Projects, Marlon Cooray said Synergy’s CBESS project has generated hundreds of new jobs, with around 50 of those filled by people from the local community.

‘We have had over 500 people on site with significant numbers, about 50 people from the local region who have been on this project for close to 18 months,’ Marlon said.

The CBESS is located in Collie, just over 200km south-east of Perth, next to the Collie Power Station. The site was cleared and repurposed by Synergy for this battery project.

Marlon said the site’s strategic location enables efficient use of existing infrastructure.

‘CBESS has been strategically positioned just outside Collie Power Station which has enabled leveraging existing transmission infrastructure.’

Supporting the local community

Stakeholder and Community Engagement Partner, Vanessa Glover said Synergy supports the local community through the Collie Small Grants Program which has been running for 7 years.

‘In that time we’ve delivered more than $200,000 worth of investment to grassroots groups in our community,’ Vanessa said.

Synergy is also part of the state-led Just Transition Working Group which explores ways of attracting new industry to the community and support transitioning workers in the town.

The Just Transition Working Group (JTWG) was established in 2018 as part of Collie’s Just Transition. The group includes representatives from Government, community, unions and industry ensuring decision-making considers the affected workforce and broader community.

Looking ahead

The Synergy team are proud of to be part of Synergy’s evolving relationship with Collie.

‘I love that we are helping the Collie community transition from older technology to new technology,’ Jason said.

‘As we move forward, I would love that Collie remain an important part of our energy landscape, and the people here can continue to do what they love doing and what they’re proud of which is keeping the lights on in Western Australia,’ he added.