Transgrid secure planning approval for super battery at Munmorah
The NSW Government has given planning approval for the largest committed battery energy storage system in the Southern Hemisphere
Minister for Energy Matt Kean attended the former Munmorah coal-fired power station site on Thursday to announce planning approval for the construction of the Waratah Super Battery.
The Australian Energy Market Operator identified the Waratah Super Battery as a key project to strengthen reliability forecasts in its update to the 2022 Electricity Statement of Opportunities report released last week.
The WSB project is being delivered as a Priority Transmission Infrastructure Project, or PTIP, under the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 (the Act), and is the first PTIP to be delivered under the Act.
The WSB project is expected to stimulate up to $1 billion in private investment into new energy storage and associated network augmentations, generate significant capital investment in the Hunter and Central Coast regions, and support over 100 jobs during construction.
Transgrid Executive General Manager of Network Marie Jordan said:
“Transgrid is connecting the Waratah Super Battery to the grid via its existing Munmorah substation ensuring additional energy is located near the high-growth Lake Macquarie and Central Coast regions.
“As part of the project we are carrying out major upgrades to existing transmission lines and substations to enable additional energy to be delivered to consumers.
“We will also develop and operate a $30 million System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS) to control the standby network battery’s activation when additional energy is required, ensuring it can respond almost instantly to any disruptions in the power system.
“Transgrid is on track to ensure the super battery, SIPS control and network upgrades are completed by mid-2025 in advance of Eraring’s earliest closure date.
“We are pleased to partner with EnergyCo, battery service provider Akaysha Energy and existing and future generation facilities to deliver this vital project to ensure energy security for NSW and help our state become a global leader in the energy transition.”
