New Milestone in Eraring Power Station’s Renewable Transformation as Stage Two Battery Construction Begins

The future of energy storage in New South Wales advanced today as work officially began on the second stage of the large-scale battery project at Eraring Power Station. State Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper, joined Origin Energy CEO, Frank Calabria, and a team of construction and technology partners at a ceremonial sod-turning event to mark the significant milestone in Origin’s ambitious renewable energy strategy.

This second stage, announced in July 2024, sees Origin committing $450 million to expand the Eraring battery’s capacity, bringing the total investment for the project’s two stages to over $1 billion. When completed, the Eraring battery system will include a 240 MW, 1030 MWh four-hour duration battery, supplementing the initial 460 MW, 1073 MWh two-hour duration battery expected to come online in late 2025.

Frank Calabria highlighted the importance of this project in Origin’s broader vision for the energy transition, stating, “Today marks a critical step in our efforts to transform Eraring Power Station from a traditional coal site into a modern, grid-forming energy hub. Large-scale batteries like the Eraring project enable us to store renewable energy when it’s abundant and distribute it during high-demand periods, ensuring stability in the grid and supporting Australia’s renewable energy targets.”

Mr Piper also addressed the importance of the project to both the energy and local economic landscapes, emphasising the region’s connection to NSW’s energy grid. “Eraring has a long history of powering NSW and supporting our local economy. The development of this large-scale battery ensures Eraring continues to play a central role in the energy landscape, even beyond coal-fired generation,” he said. “The commitment from Origin is a welcome investment in both renewable infrastructure and our community’s future.”

The Eraring battery, upon completion of both stages by early 2027, will have a combined capacity exceeding 2 GWh, making it a critical component in NSW’s renewable energy infrastructure. The site has been strategically chosen for its existing connection to the grid, and its transformation aligns with state energy targets to phase out coal while maintaining energy reliability.

Equipment for the battery will be supplied by Wärtsilä, a Finnish technology group, while Enerven, a subsidiary of SA Power Networks, will oversee the Balance of Plant Design and Construction. Additionally, Lumea, Transgrid’s commercial subsidiary, will manage high-voltage substation works.

Originally granted planning approval by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment in May 2022, the Eraring battery project marks a pivotal shift for Origin’s operations at Australia’s largest power station, which currently provides nearly a quarter of NSW’s electricity. As Eraring continues to evolve from coal dependency, the project symbolises a crucial step toward a renewable, resilient future for NSW’s energy grid.

The system is designed to soak up excess, free renewable energy during the middle of the day and make it available during peak usage times in the evening.