One of the world’s most powerful batteries, the Waratah Super Battery, is now fully operational and helping to deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy to NSW homes and businesses.
Built on the site of the former Munmorah coal-fired power station, the Waratah Super Battery has the capability to deliver 850 megawatts of power and can store 1,680 megawatt hours. At maximum output, the project is capable of powering up to 340,000 NSW households at peak demand.
The super battery acts as a giant shock absorber during events such as power line outages due to bushfires, fallen trees or lightning strikes.
A world-first innovation, the super battery combines large-scale energy storage, advanced control systems and existing transmission lines to keep the grid secure while enabling more renewable energy to enter the system.
The Waratah Super Battery is a critical milestone in NSW’s energy transformation, supporting the growing volume of renewable energy entering the grid and helping to deliver reliable and affordable electricity as ageing coal-fired power stations retire.
Installed battery energy storage in NSW has increased 39-fold since the Minns Labor Government came to office, while the amount of large-scale solar and wind operating in the state has increased by more than 80 per cent.
Approximately 1,000 people were involved in the design and construction of the super battery, including 170 workers at the Munmorah site.
Commissioned by the NSW Government’s EnergyCo and built by Akaysha Energy, the super battery has now received approval to operate at full capacity from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Transgrid delivered upgrades to the existing electricity network and will serve as the network operator, overseeing the battery’s ongoing performance.
Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:
“The Waratah Super Battery is a game changer for NSW. As ageing coal-fired power stations retire, this project will help keep the lights on for homes and businesses while enabling more renewable energy to flow through the grid.
“This is exactly the kind of infrastructure NSW needs to deliver a reliable, affordable and modern energy system for generations to come.”
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
“There’s no point generating power if you can’t store it. Today, one of the world’s best energy storage facilities starts operating right here in our own backyard.
“The Hunter has powered NSW for generations. By transforming former industrial sites like Munmorah Power Station for the energy jobs and infrastructure of the future, we’re making sure it stays our state’s energy powerhouse for generations to come.”
Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:
“The Central Coast has a proud history of powering NSW, and the Waratah Super Battery shows our region will continue to play a critical role.
“Transforming the former Munmorah Power Station site into one of the world’s most powerful batteries is a great example of how we can give former industrial sites a new purpose, while supporting jobs, investment and new opportunities for the Central Coast.”
EnergyCo CEO Hannah McCaughey said:
“The Waratah Super Battery is more than just a battery. It’s a world-leading piece of energy infrastructure that shows what’s possible when innovation, investment and long-term planning come together.
“As renewable energy becomes an increasingly important part of our electricity mix, projects like this play a critical role in keeping the grid secure and reliable.”
Akaysha Energy CEO Nick Carter said:
“Bringing the Waratah Super Battery to final commercial operations is a landmark moment for Akaysha Energy, our project partners and most importantly, for NSW.
“We are proud of what has been delivered and are now focused on the role Waratah plays in supporting a more reliable, secure and renewable NSW electricity system.”
Transgrid CEO Brett Redman said:
“The delivery of the Waratah Super Battery provides an additional level of safeguard as coal plants retire and critical transmission infrastructure is built to connect more renewable energy into the Sydney, Illawarra and Hunter load centres.
“Our System Integrity Protection Scheme Control System is the largest and most innovative in Australia, detecting network issues in real time and responding in real time, ensuring continuity of power supply for households and businesses.”
