AGL has broken ground on its $180 million Torrens Island 250MW battery, preparing for construction of the facility, which will form part of the Torrens Island Energy Hub and support renewables in South Australia.
The Torrens Island battery will be the first of AGL’s national roll-out of 850MW of grid-scale batteries to get underway.
AGL announced in early 2021 that it had appointed technology group, Wartsila, to construct the Torrens Island battery.
South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining, Dan van Holst Pellekaan, welcomed the start of work on the battery and the benefits it will bring to the state’s energy system.
“AGL’s Torrens Island battery has 66 per cent more power and 25 per cent more storage than the now expanded big battery at Hornsdale,” Mr van Holst Pellekaan said.
“This project was assisted by a fast-tracked planning process by the Marshall Government to provide vital grid security benefits and help accelerate South Australia’s transition to net 100 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030.
“AGL’s investment is another step on South Australia’s journey towards net-100 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030 and the thousands of jobs that transition will generate.
“It’s great to see AGL investing in new storage assets to add further stability to our electricity grid.”
AGL expects up to 50 local jobs will be created during construction, and the battery is planned to be fully operational by early 2023.
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 program in South Australia. 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,” Mr Brokhof said.
“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.”
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.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said, “It’s great to see construction kick off on AGL’s Torrens Island battery, with this and other grid-scale storage only helping to make energy for South Australians even cleaner, more affordable and more reliable.”
