AGL has announced the development of a large grid-scale battery project in Victoria, as part of plans to develop an 850-megawatt (MW) multi-site, integrated battery system.
Development activities are now underway for a 200 MW battery, based at Loy Yang in the Latrobe Valley. This follows the recent acceleration of plans for a 250 MW battery at the Torrens Island Power Station in South Australia.
AGL CEO and managing director Brett Redman said AGL is leading the energy transition by developing a network of batteries, modernising Australia’s energy supply.
“We’re proud to bring this technology to the Latrobe Valley, a community that both play such a pivotal role in Australia’s energy generation,” Mr Redman said.
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“The limiting factor for renewable technology has always been storage and we are taking control of these limitations by turning our attention to batteries.
“We are investing in our people, our communities and the technology and in doing so driving Australia’s energy transition responsibly.
“These battery projects are recharging our communities, as well as providing energy certainty for our customers.”
Mr Redman said these grid-scale battery projects align with the commitments AGL made in its Climate Statement, which sets its target for net zero emissions by 2050.
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“As Australia’s largest private investor in renewable energy, we know in order to deliver for our customers and communities we now need to lead the next phase of the energy transition by developing storage and firming technologies,” he said.
“Doing so means we will continue to support the energy industry as it transitions from coal to renewables and helps ensure our customers continue to have reliable and affordable energy.”
In August this year, AGL announced plans for battery storage beside the Liddell Power Station but will review this in light of the recent NSW Government energy policy announcement.
AGL has also lodged a scoping report for the 50 MW battery in Broken Hill, NSW and is supporting grid-scale battery projects including Wandoan (100 MW), Maoneng (four x 50 MW) and Dalrymple (30 MW).
