Origin Energy has confirmed its $450 million investment in the second phase of a major battery project at Australia’s largest coal-fired power plant site.
The decision, announced on Thursday, underscores Origin’s commitment to enhancing energy storage capabilities at Eraring in NSW. The combined energy storage capacity of both phase one and phase two batteries will exceed two gigawatt hours, crucial for stabilizing the electricity grid.
Greg Jarvis, Origin’s head of energy supply and operations, emphasized the role of energy storage in supporting renewable energy integration and firming up supply from wind and solar farms amidst grid transformation.
Located near Lake Macquarie, Eraring hosts Australia’s largest power station, supplying a quarter of NSW’s electricity. Origin plans to transform the site, leveraging its strategic location and robust connection infrastructure.
The second phase of the Eraring battery project will feature a 240MW battery with more than four hours of duration. It aims to absorb surplus solar generation during the day and support peak demand in the evening. This addition complements the initial 460MW, two-hour duration battery set to be operational by late 2025.
Origin’s commitment extends beyond Eraring, encompassing over 1.5GW of battery storage capacity, including projects like the one at Mortlake in Victoria. Additionally, a long-term agreement with Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners for the Supernode battery in Queensland further highlights its strategic expansion in energy storage.
Construction for the second phase at Eraring is slated to commence in early 2025, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2027, well ahead of the scheduled decommissioning of the aging coal plant. Wärtsilä, renowned for its expertise showcased in the Torrens big battery project in South Australia, will supply the battery equipment for phase two of the Eraring project.
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