Major energy storage system goes live in NSW

EnergyAustralia has announced that the Riverina Stage 2 and Darlington Point batteries are now available for commercial operation as part of an exclusive 10-year off-take agreement with renewable energy company Edify Energy.

According to EnergyAustralia, this is the largest energy storage system in NSW, and will help to support system reliability over what is predicted to be a very hot summer.

Under the agreement, EnergyAustralia has market control for a contracted output of a combined 90 MW/180 MWh for the Riverina and Darlington Point batteries. The system has a two-hour duration, providing enough energy for about 49,000 NSW homes before being recharged.¹

EnergyAustralia Head of Portfolio Development Daniel Nugent said that the utility would also have construction and testing completed at Tallawarra B, its new gas and hydrogen capable power station, in the coming months. This 316 MW power station will also be online over the summer to support customer demand at peak times and contribute to system security.

“Access to the Riverina and Darlington Point system adds to EnergyAustralia’s growing portfolio of renewable firming investments and forms part of our plan to deploy over $5 billion in capital with partners in energy storage and renewables firming initiatives,” Nugent said.

“The Riverina and Darlington Point system project and the progress we are making with bringing our Wooreen battery project to financial close and accelerating the development of the Mt Piper battery project demonstrates the contribution we are making to the clean energy transition and our commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.”

_{1. Based on 1.81 kW for the P0E10 of an average mass market customer.}

Image credit: iStock.com/felixR