Origin and its construction partner Enerven have announced the official commencement of construction of the second stage of the large-scale battery on the site of Eraring Power Station.
In late July 2024, Origin announced it had approved the second stage development of a large-scale battery at Eraring Power Station, committing to invest approximately $450 million. When combined with the Stage 1 battery investment, Origin is spending over $1 billion on battery storage at the site.
Related article: Origin approves second stage of Eraring Battery
The second stage of the Eraring battery will add a 240MW/1,030MWh four-hour duration grid-forming battery to the 460MW/1,073MWh two-hour duration first stage battery development already under construction, which is anticipated to come online at the end of the 2025 calendar year.
Origin CEO Frank Calabria said, “Today is another important step in Origin’s transformation of the Eraring site so it can continue contributing to the reliability and security of energy supply in this region and support the ongoing growth of variable renewable energy in the grid.
“Large scale batteries like the one we are developing at Eraring will play an important role in the energy transition, charging when renewables are abundant and discharging when needed, such as during the evening peak.
“When fully commissioned in early 2027, the combined energy storage of stage one and stage two of the Eraring batteries will be over 2GWh. This is just one way Origin is pursuing its ambition to lead the energy transition,” Calabria said.
The Eraring battery project received initial planning approval from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment in May 2022.
Related article: Origin strikes deal with govt to delay Eraring closure
Battery equipment will be supplied by Finnish technology group Wärtsilä, balance of plant design and construction services will be provided by Enerven, a subsidiary of SA Power Networks, while Lumea (the commercial arm of Transgrid) will complete the dedicated HV substation works.
Eraring is Australia’s largest power station, supplying around a quarter of NSW’s energy needs. It is Origin’s only coal-fired generator.
