The Torrens Island battery will be the first of AGL’s national roll-out of 850 MW of grid-scale batteries to get underway. The battery is also a first step in the future Torrens Island Energy Hub, which will support renewable energy generation in South Australia.
AGL Chief Operating Officer, Markus Brokhof said low-emission firming technologies will play a leading role in driving Australia’s energy transition.
“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to commence our battery programme in South Australia” said Mr Brokhof. “Today’s milestone is an important step in bringing to life our vision for the low-carbon industrial energy hubs required for Australia’s energy future. As Australia’s largest energy generator, we understand the importance of enabling flexibility and ensuring reliability across the National Electricity Market as we continue to integrate renewable generation. We anticipate the Torrens Island energy hub will bring together various industry sectors and a combination of technologies to deliver South Australia’s energy future, and this battery is the first step toward that goal. With South Australia generating more power from renewable sources than any other state, this battery will further reinforce a reliable energy supply for households and businesses. I’d like to thank the South Australian Government and in particular, Deputy Premier Dan van Holst Pellekaan for his continued support and encouragement for this project.”
AGL expects up to 50 local jobs will be created during construction, and the battery is planned to be fully operational by early 2023. The battery will enable AGL to adapt to changing market conditions, with an initial one-hour duration that is capable of expanding to up to four-hours duration in the future.
South Australia’s Deputy Premier and Mining and Energy Minister, Dan van Holst Pellekaan added that AGL’s investment was yet another step on South Australia’s journey towards of net-100 percent renewable energy generation by 2030 and the thousands of jobs that transition will generate.
Earlier in 2021, AGL announced it had appointed technology group, Wartsila, to construct the Torrens Island battery.
AGL recently announced that its 50 MW battery in Broken Hill had achieved development consent and plans to construct a 200 MW battery at its Loy Yang A power station, a 150 MW battery at its Liddell power station as well as support grid-scale battery projects including Wandoan, Maoneng and Dalrymple.
Following AGL’s proposed demerger in 2022, the Torrens Island battery will be an asset of AGL Australia.
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