Origin Energy invests $450 million in second stage of Eraring Battery development
The four-hour duration of the second stage battery will be capable of absorbing excess solar generation during the day and supporting reliable energy supply during evening peak times.
Origin Energy has approved the second stage of its large-scale battery development at Eraring Power Station, committing approximately $450 million to the project.
This new phase will introduce a 240 MW / 1030 MWh grid-forming battery with a four-hour duration, adding to the 460 MW / 1073 MWh two-hour duration battery currently under construction. Combined, these batteries will offer over 2 GWh of energy storage, which will aid in stabilising the grid and supporting the integration of more variable renewable energy sources.
Construction of the second stage is set to commence early in 2025, with the project expected to come online in the first quarter of 2027. Wärtsilä will supply the battery equipment, while Enerven Energy Infrastructure will provide design and construction services.
Origin's head of energy supply and operations, Greg Jarvis, noted the importance of storage in the evolving energy landscape.
"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," Jarvis said.
"Eraring is a high-quality site with robust 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," he added.
Eraring Power Station, scheduled to close in August 2027, currently supplies up to a quarter of New South Wales' electricity. Origin has now committed to more than 1.5 GW of large-scale batteries across its projects at Eraring and Mortlake, in addition to tolling agreements for the Supernode battery stages.
