Ausgrid proposes new battery energy storage projects in Newcastle and Homebush
By capturing and storing surplus electricity, two new battery projects will release energy back into the grid during peak demand times, helping to manage the variability of renewable sources like wind and solar and providing up to 27,000 Ausgrid households with power daily.
Ausgrid has proposed two 400 MWh Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at Mayfield West's Steel River Industrial Estate and in Homebush to enhance grid stability, increase renewable energy use, and improve electricity affordability for NSW households.
Each site will incorporate a group of large rechargeable batteries, collectively acting as a single, substantial battery. Battery energy storage systems like these are critical to supporting renewable energy uptake, as they help manage power flows and ensure electricity is available during low-production periods. Beyond promoting sustainable energy use, BESS can improve grid reliability by stabilising frequency and voltage, which in turn reduces the strain on the grid, potentially lowering electricity costs over time.
The Steel River East BESS is proposed for a location adjacent to the existing substation at 1 McIntosh Drive in the Steel River Industrial Estate, Mayfield West. Meanwhile, the Homebush BESS is planned for an area near the substation at 10 Homebush Bay Drive in Homebush. Both projects, if approved, will be constructed and managed by third-party operators and aim to be operational by late 2025. Ausgrid anticipates that these projects will provide local construction jobs, reduce the need for expanded transmission infrastructure, and contribute to grid stability.
Early 2025 will see Ausgrid preparing and submitting a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess potential impacts on local communities and the environment. The EIS will be available for public exhibition to encourage feedback. Following community input and final adjustments, the NSW Department of Planning is expected to determine the projects’ outcomes by mid-2025. Construction for both BESS installations could then commence as early as the second half of 2025.
Each BESS will use advanced control systems to ensure seamless integration with existing network infrastructure and optimize energy release in alignment with demand. By situating these projects close to existing substations, Ausgrid aims to make efficient use of established facilities and avoid the need for new high-voltage transmission lines.
Ausgrid is hosting several information sessions to provide an overview of the Steel River East BESS and to gather feedback from the local community. These sessions are scheduled as follows:
- Saturday, 16 November 2024 from 10 am to 12 pm at Mayfield Library, 104 Hanbury Street, Mayfield
- Tuesday, 19 November 2024 from 3 pm to 5 pm at Mayfield East Shopping Village, 77 Maitland Road, Mayfield
- Wednesday, 20 November 2024 from 10 am to 12 pm at Warabrook Shopping Centre, 3 Angophora Drive, Warabrook
These sessions will enable community members to meet with project representatives, ask questions, and provide input that will help Ausgrid to design and refine the project in line with local interests and environmental standards. An early planning survey is also available for those wishing to participate further in shaping the project.
