Origin begins construction of 240 MW / 1,030 MWh stage of Eraring big battery

Construction has begun on the second phase of Origin Energy’s battery installation at its Eraring Power Station site in New South Wales, Australia. The company will invest $295 million (AUD $450 million) in this phase, bringing its total battery storage investment at the location to over 650 million (AUD $1 billion).

The new 240 MW / 1030 MWh installation will provide four-hour duration grid-forming capabilities. It joins the first phase’s 460 MW/1073 MWh two-hour duration battery, currently under construction and set to begin operations in late 2025.

“The Eraring site will continue contributing to supply reliability and security in this region,” said Origin CEO Frank Calabria at the groundbreaking ceremony, noting the batteries will charge during periods of high renewable generation and discharge during peak demand.

“When fully commissioned in early 2027, the combined energy storage of stage one and stage two of the Eraring batteries will be over 2 GWh.”

The project represents a strategic shift for the Eraring site, which currently houses Australia’s largest coal-fire power station and supplies approximately 25% of NSW’s energy needs. The state government confirmed in May this year that the plant would remain open two years beyond its original planned 2025 closure date, until August 2027, with the potential for a further extension until April 2029.

Greg Piper, State Member for Lake Macquarie, emphasized the project’s significance for local employment. “The power station’s grid connection positions it for the state’s energy future,” said Piper.

Finnish technology group Wärtsilä is supplying the battery components. The battery firm said stage two will be built with Wärtsilä’s Quantum High Energy (QuantumHE), its next generation of energy storage systems, with additional safety features and higher energy density. It will also deliver a long-term service agreement to Origin.