Origin Energy has greenlit the second stage development of a large-scale battery at Eraring Power Station, committing to an investment of approximately $450 million. This initiative is part of the company’s strategy to enhance renewable energy and storage within its portfolio.
The second stage will introduce a 240 MW / 1,030 MWh four-hour duration grid-forming battery to complement the 460 MW / 1,073 MWh two-hour duration battery from the first stage, currently under construction and expected to be operational by the end of 2025. The combined energy storage capacity of both stages will exceed 2 GWh, crucial for maintaining grid stability and supporting the integration of variable renewable energy sources.
Greg Jarvis, Head of Energy Supply and Operations at Origin Energy, emphasized the importance of storage in adapting to the evolving energy landscape. "The second stage of the Eraring battery, with over four hours of duration, will be capable of absorbing excess solar generation during the day, ensuring reliable energy supply during peak evening hours," Jarvis said. "Eraring’s strategic location with high-quality connection infrastructure makes it a pivotal site for supporting the energy transition."
The project will see collaboration with Finnish technology group Wärtsilä for battery equipment supply, while Enerven Energy Infrastructure will handle design and construction services. Construction for the second stage is slated to begin in early 2025, with an anticipated completion in the first quarter of 2027.
Origin Energy’s commitment extends beyond Eraring, as the company has pledged over 1.5 GW of large-scale batteries across its projects, including those at Mortlake in Victoria and through tolling agreements for the Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners’ Supernode battery stages 1 and 2 in Brisbane.
Eraring, Australia’s largest power station, supplies up to a quarter of New South Wales’ electricity. Despite its scheduled closure in August 2027, as part of an agreement with the NSW Government to ensure supply security during the transition, this investment underscores Origin's dedication to a sustainable and reliable energy future.
Image Credit: Origin Energy