NSW to exceed energy storage targets

The NSW Government has awarded contracts for six new long‑duration battery projects to strengthen the state’s energy grid.

The state government said the batteries will ensure that NSW is on track to exceed its energy storage targets, with the new batteries to store nearly 12 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy — enough to power one-third of Sydney’s homes for 24 hours.

The government said NSW has the most battery projects in Australia, with over 200 projects either under construction or in the planning pipeline.

The projects include:

• Great Western Battery in Wallerawang, near Lithgow (Neoen Australia) storing 3500 megawatt hours (MWh)
• Bannaby Battery Energy Storage System, in the Southern Tablelands (BW ESS) storing 2676 MWh
• Bowmans Creek Battery Energy Storage System, in the Upper Hunter (Ark Energy) storing 2414 MWh
• Armidale East Battery Energy Storage System (FRV Services Australia) storing 1440 MWh
• Kingswood Battery Energy Storage System, near Tamworth (Iberdrola Australia) storing 1080 MWh
• Ebor Battery Energy Storage System, near Armidale (Bridge Energy) storing 870 MWh
   

The batteries are due to be completed by 2030.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe MLC, along with the Member for Granville, Julia Finn MP, officially opened Iberdrola’s completed battery energy storage system in Western Sydney, which was successful as part of ASL’s Roadmap Tender 2, supported by the Australian Government Capacity Investment Scheme.

“These six big batteries mean we’re on track to smash our storage targets, harvesting the sun and the wind, so we can power NSW around the clock and put downward pressure on prices,” Sharpe said. “We’re not stopping here — NSW will support more projects, so we’re ready for a grid powered by renewable energy, supported by gas.”

Finn said, “I’m thrilled to open Iberdrola’s new Battery Energy Storage System in Smithfield, powering reliable energy to Western Sydney, while the Minns Labor government backs more batteries right across NSW.”

Paul Simshauser, Chief Executive Officer of Iberdrola, said the company’s new storage system will be able to power around 20,000 homes.

Top image caption: Western Downs Green Power Hub (rendered image). Credit: Neoen Australia