Technology group Wärtsilä has been selected by Origin Energy as the preferred contractor to deliver the first phase, 460 MW and 920 MWh, of what will be one of Australia’s largest energy storage projects. The Eraring battery will be installed at Origin’s Eraring Power Station. Origin may elect to expand the battery to 700 MW and 2800 MWh in the future.
The companies have signed an engineered equipment delivery (EEQ) contract with a total value of slightly more than €300 m, Wärtsilä’s largest single energy storage deal to-date. Equipment delivery is expected to take place from October 2023 to September 2024.
The Eraring battery will be connected to Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) and support energy security and reliability in the state of New South Wales as the penetration of variable renewable energy supply increases.
“Eraring is a strategic site with a high quality connection infrastructure enabling us to deliver energy into major demand centres. Development of the Eraring battery is a key next step as we look to transform the Eraring site for the future, given our intention to exit coal-fired generation by as early as August 2025” said Greg Jarvis, head of Energy Supply and Operations at Origin Energy.
Image: Equipment delivery is expected to take place from October 2023 to September 2024 (courtesy of Wärtsilä)
