Origin Energy has approved the second stage of its Eraring Battery project, which will add a 240MW/1.3GWh four-hour duration grid-forming battery to the 460MW/1.7GWh two-hour duration first stage battery development already under construction at Eraring Power Station.
The combined energy storage of the stage one and stage two batteries will be over 2GWh, enabling Origin to help keep the grid stable and support more variable renewable energy coming into the system.
Related article: Origin strikes deal with govt to delay Eraring closure
Origin has executed agreements for equipment supply and construction, with works on the second stage scheduled to begin early in the 2025 calendar year. Stage two is anticipated to come online in the first quarter of the 2027 calendar year.
Origin head of energy supply and operations Greg Jarvis said, “We are pleased to have approved Origin’s third investment in a large-scale battery at one of our existing power stations, which reflects our belief that storage will play an important role in the changing grid by helping to firm up variable supply from wind and solar.
“The second stage of the Eraring battery will be over four-hours duration and it will be capable of absorbing excess solar generation during the day to support reliable energy supply when needed, such as through the evening peak.
“Eraring is a strategic site with high-quality connection infrastructure. Confirmation of the second stage of the Eraring battery development is a key next step as we look to transform the site for the future so it can continue to support the energy transition.”
Battery equipment for stage two of the Eraring project will be supplied by Finnish technology group Wärtsilä, with design and construction services to be provided by Enerven Energy Infrastructure.
Related article: Supernode Battery expanded under new Origin offtake deal
Origin has now committed to more than 1.5GW of large-scale batteries across its three owned projects at Eraring and Mortlake, along with tolling agreements for the offtake of the Supernode Battery stage 1 and 2.
Eraring is Australia’s largest power station and supplies up to a quarter of electricity supply in New South Wales. Eraring is scheduled to close in August 2027, as part of an agreement with the NSW Government to support security of supply through the transition.
