Origin Energy has approved the second stage development of a large-scale battery at Eraring Power Station, committing to invest about $450M, as the company continues to execute its strategy to accelerate renewable energy and storage in its portfolio.
The second stage of the Eraring battery will add a 240 MW / 1030 MWh four-hour duration grid-forming battery to the 460 MW / 1073 MWh two-hour duration first stage battery development already under construction at the site and anticipated to come online at the end of the 2025 calendar year.
The combined energy storage of the stage one and stage two batteries will be more than two GWh, enabling Origin to help keep the grid stable and support more variable renewable energy coming into the system.
Origin has executed agreements for equipment supply and construction, with works on the second stage scheduled to begin early next year.
Stage two is anticipated to come online in the first quarter of the 2027 calendar year.
Origin’s head of energy supply and operations Greg Jarvis said the latest investment reflected the company’s belief that storage would 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,” he said.
“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 (Enerven).
Origin has now committed to more than 1.5 GW 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 one and two.
Eraring is Australia’s largest power station and supplies up to a quarter of electricity supply in NSW.
It is scheduled to close in August 2027, as part of an agreement with the NSW Government to support security of supply through the transition and while there remains uncertainty regarding the timing of transmission, renewables and firming infrastructure coming online.