Second Stage of Eraring Battery To Commence: 240mw

Origin Energy has given the green light for the second phase of a major battery project at the Eraring Power Station. This development, with an investment of around $450 million, aims to enhance renewable energy storage capacity within the company’s portfolio. The new 240 MW / 1030 MWh four-hour duration grid-forming battery will complement the 460 MW / 1073 MWh two-hour battery from the first phase, which is already under construction and expected to be operational by the end of 2025. Together, these batteries will provide over 2 GWh of energy storage, crucial for stabilising the grid and supporting increased renewable energy integration.

Eraring Battery plays a vital role in harnessing and managing excess solar, wind and other renewable energy generated during the day. As solar panels across homes and businesses produce more electricity than is immediately needed, this surplus energy can be stored in the Eraring Battery system. This storage capability is crucial for balancing energy supply and demand, particularly during peak periods when energy consumption rises.

By storing the excess solar energy during sunny periods, the Eraring Battery ensures that this renewable power is available during the evening or on cloudy days, when solar generation is low, but demand is high. This not only helps in reducing reliance on fossil fuels but also ensures a steady and reliable power supply for homes and businesses.

Construction for the second stage is set to commence in early 2025, with the new battery expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2027. Origin has secured agreements for equipment and construction, with Wärtsilä providing the battery technology and Enerven Energy Infrastructure handling design and construction services.

Greg Jarvis, Origin’s head of energy supply and operations, highlighted the importance of this investment, stating, “We are pleased to have approved Origin’s third investment in a large-scale battery at one of our existing power stations, which reflects our belief that storage will play an important role in the changing grid by helping to firm up variable supply from wind and solar.”

The Eraring Power Station, located at Lake Macquarie, is Australia’s largest power station and has historically provided around a quarter of New South Wales’ electricity. It is Origin’s sole coal-fired power generator. The site has been central to the region’s energy landscape since its commissioning in the early 1980s, playing a pivotal role in both energy supply and local employment.

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Video About Grid Scale Batteries

Initial Build and Background

The initial phase of the Eraring battery project, approved earlier, involved a $600 million investment to construct a 460 MW battery storage system with a two-hour dispatch duration. This stage is anticipated to be operational by the end of 2025, with an option to expand to 700 MW and a four-hour duration in the future. Origin CEO Frank Calabria described the project as a significant milestone in the company’s strategy to lead the energy transition and expand renewable energy and storage capabilities.

The project received initial planning approval from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment in May 2022. Wärtsilä, a global technology group, is supplying the battery equipment, while Enerven, a subsidiary of SA Power Networks, is responsible for the design and construction services.

The station’s future beyond its coal-fired operations has been a subject of local and national interest. Origin announced in 2022 its intention to potentially retire the Eraring coal-fired units as early as 2025, pending market conditions and consultations with stakeholders, including the Australian Energy Market Operator and the NSW Government.

As the largest power station in Australia, Eraring’s transition to a renewable future is a significant event. The expansion of battery storage capacity is a positive development, yet it comes with challenges, including managing the environmental impact and supporting the local community through the transition period. The NSW Government and Origin have committed to working closely with the community, providing transition support and re-skilling opportunities for the workforce​.

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