The Southern Hemisphere's largest network battery will be built at the site of the old Lake Munmorah Power Station, the state government has confirmed.
The Newcastle Herald recently reported, that an EnergyCo scoping report said a 15 hectare site previously used to stockpile coal for the power station was an ideal location for the 700 megawatt project.
The project would create up to 150 construction jobs and approximately 10-15 permanent jobs.
Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said construction was expected to begin in early 2023, pending approval, and would be completed by mid-2025 in advance of Eraring Power Station's earliest closure date.
"The Waratah Super Battery will drive up to $1 billion in private investment in new energy storage and associated network upgrades, generating more than 100 jobs in the Hunter and Central Coast regions," he said.
"The battery will ensure electricity consumers in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong have access to more energy from existing generators while new transmission connections are developed."
Transgrid has been appointed the network operator.
Swansea MP and Shadow Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the former power station site was ideal for the super battery.
"It is owned by the government and all the transmission infrastructure is already in place'," she said.
'Not only will this project deliver up to 150 construction jobs and 10 to 15 ongoing jobs, but it will also open up an opportunity to turn the old power station into a renewable energy manufacturing hub on the Central Coast. This will mean good paying, highly skilled jobs into the future'.
The NSW Government has issued a formal direction to Transgrid as Network Operator to carry out the Waratah Super Battery Priority Transmission Infrastructure Project including designing a $30 million control system to trigger the battery into operation when additional energy is required.
Transgrid chief executive Brett Redman welcomed the NSW Minister for Energy's legislative direction to help deliver the critical Waratah Super Battery project.
"We are fully committed to ensuring a more reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply for Australians as we work with Government to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future," Mr Redman said."
As part of the project Transgird will carry out $150 million in upgrades to existing transmission lines and substations to enable additional energy generated in regional NSW to be delivered to consumers.
"Transgrid will also develop, install and operate a $30 million System Integrity Protection Scheme to monitor the network for disruptions, trigger the super battery into action when required, and dial down energy elsewhere in the grid to balance supply.
"The co-location of the super battery and our substation will bring new life and jobs to the retired Munmorah coal-fired power station site as well as ensuring additional energy is located near high growth areas including the burgeoning Lake Macquarie and Central Coast regions.
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