All systems go for super battery to bolster energy security

Work is starting and completion is expected by mid 2025 to install the biggest energy storage battery in the southern hemisphere – the 850 megawatt Waratah Super Battery at the former Munmorah coal-fired power station site.

NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister, Matt Kean, announced approval of the project when he visited the site last Thursday, along with Transgrid Executive General Manager of Network, Marie Jordan.

“Transgrid is on track to ensure the super battery, the System Integrity Protection Scheme and network upgrades are completed by mid 2025 in advance of Eraring power station’s earliest closure date,” 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.

“Part of project will be major upgrades to existing transmission lines and substations and we will also develop and operate a $30M System Integrity Protection Scheme 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.”

Jordan said delivery of this critical infrastructure would also provide a secure, reliable and affordable energy supply to homes and businesses in Sydney, Newcastle and

Wollongong.

“We are pleased to partner with EnergyCo, battery service provider Akaysha Energy and existing and future generation facilities to deliver this project to ensure energy security for NSW and help our state become a global leader in the energy transition,” she said.

Energy Minister, Matt Kean said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government had the most ambitious renewable energy and storage plan in the country and the Waratah Super Battery was the first of many big energy projects to get underway.

“Our pipeline of projects to ensure reliability and affordability is clear … (and) while NSW Labor run around creating fear about the sun not shining and the wind not blowing, we are focused on getting on with the job of building major renewable energy storage projects that we need to lower power prices and keep the grid reliable,” he said.

Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts, said the Waratah Super Battery would drive up to $1B of private investment into NSW and was a key part of the Government’s long-term renewable energy plans.

“The Waratah Super Battery is well suited for the state’s energy security needs because it is fast to roll out, has a relatively small footprint, repurposes land and connection infrastructure previously used for a coal-fired power station, and will be able to respond almost instantly to disruptions in the energy system,” he said.

Sue Murray