The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has granted Generator Performance Standard (GPS) approval to Akaysha Energy‘s 850MW/1680MWh Waratah Super Battery.
This is an important milestone as the Critical State Significant Infrastructure declared project moves towards completion, and marks the first such approval for such a large battery energy storage project in the NEM.
Related article: Waratah Super Battery gets planning approval
GPS approval represents a pivotal and complex milestone for any generation project in Australia, setting the performance standards that generators and storage projects must meet to ensure stability and reliability of the electrical grid.
Compliance with these standards helps prevent disruptions and ensures smooth integration into existing energy infrastructure.
The successful GPS approval for the Waratah Super Battery eliminates one of the most substantial technical barriers for the project, allowing it to participate in the growing energy storage market in Australia.
The project is on track to be fully operational by August 2025
EnergyCo executive director network planning and technical advisory Andrew Kingsmill said, “The approval of the Generator Performance Standard is a significant milestone because the project has passed the simulations needed to know that it can successfully connect to the grid later this year.”
Akaysha Energy CEO Nick Carter said, “It’s been more than 12 months’ worth of hard effort by the team and AEMO and Transgrid and our consultants Aurecon on this.
“We appreciate the collaboration with eks Energy and Powin. Their commitment to providing local on-ground support in Australia, advanced technology and willingness to work closely with our interconnection partners was critical in securing GPS approval and achieving closure within the required timeframes.
Related article: Akaysha Energy: Powering Australia’s renewables transition
“Connecting energy projects to the Australian grid poses unique challenges due to stringent interconnection standards resulting from a combination of an inherently weak electrical grid, strict performance requirements and high renewable energy penetration.
“The significance is that we now have a clear pathway to get the battery connected.”
