Technology group Wärtsilä has won a contract to provide a 350MW / 1474MWh battery energy storage system in Australia.
EnergyAustralia has contracted Wärtsilä for the Wooreen Energy Storage System in Victoria.
The scope of the contract includes engineering design, supply, commissioning, and a 15-year service agreement.
The project was successful in the first round of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), an Australian government initiative to encourage new investment seeking to deliver 32GW of renewable generation and dispatchable capacity by 2030.
The site will be built adjacent to EnergyAustralia’s Jeeralang Power Station. It is expected to become operational before the shut-down of the coal-fired Yallourn Power Station in 2028.
Construction will begin in 2025 and the Wooreen energy storage facility will be completed in 2027.
Once operational, the system will provide energy to more than 230,000 homes for up to four hours at a time.
EnergyAustralia is one of the largest energy providers in the country.
Managing director Mark Collette said: “At EnergyAustralia, our purpose is to lead and accelerate the clean energy transformation for all.
“The Wooreen Energy Storage System is the largest single project investment made by EnergyAustralia.
“Wooreen will provide capacity to meet demand peaks while enabling more renewable energy to enter the electricity market, contributing to better customer energy outcomes.”
Wärtsilä Energy said the project will provide essential grid stability and support the integration of renewable energy, aligning with Australia’s decarbonisation goals.
Vice-president of energy storage and optimisation at Wärtsilä Energy Andrew Tang said: “This project is a landmark step for EnergyAustralia as they continue to decarbonise their asset portfolio while maintaining reliability for their customers.
“We are excited to partner on this significant project and help support their long-term energy goals.
“This project is Wärtsilä’s first in the state of Victoria and expands our footprint in Australia to 4.8GWh across seven projects.
“Australia has already made great strides towards its decarbonisation targets, and this project will further boost its renewable energy capacity.”
The Wooreen system will utilise Wärtsilä’s Quantum High Energy technology and GEMS Digital Energy Platform.
The company said this will help to secure Victoria’s energy supply and enable more renewable energy to enter the electricity network while providing crucial grid services.