AGL begins grid-scale battery network rollout

AGL has today announced construction will get underway this year on its planned nationwide network of grid-scale storage batteries.

The company announced a start to a 250-megawatt (MW), one-hour duration grid-scale battery at Torrens Island power station in Adelaide (pictured), following AGL’s final investment decision (FID) on the project.

AGL CEO Brett Redman said South Australia is leading the way in the rollout of AGL’s 850MW network of grid-scale batteries by the end of FY2024.

The comany is also developing a 200MW battery at its Loy Yang A power station, a 150MW battery at its Liddell power station and a 50MW battery in Broken Hill, as well as supporting grid-scale battery projects including Wandoan, Maoneng and Dalrymple.

Redman said: “We are excited to be giving the green light to the Torrens grid-scale battery, the first one in the AGL network that is under development.

“Generating more power from wind than any other state, we know this battery will be instrumental in maintaining reliable and affordable supply for households and businesses in South Australia in the years ahead.”

AGL began mothballing the four gas-powered generating units at Torrens Island in 2019, citing the rise in rooftop solar which had reduced the need for peaking power generation.

South Australian Energy Minister, Dan van Holst Pellekaan said South Australia will soon have a new ‘biggest battery’, funded by the private sector.

“This will be the fifth grid-scale battery in our state, and the fourth one built since the last state election.

“It’s great to see AGL investing in new storage assets at the same time that the average household cost of electricity has come down by an average of $269 per year.”

AGL COO Markus Brokhof said battery technology is key to enhancing the energy system’s flexibility while leading Australia’s energy transition and ongoing integration of renewables.

Brokhof said: “It is through low emission firming technology, like batteries, that we are continuing to drive AGL’s energy transition and respond to the accelerating market forces of customer demand, community expectation and the development of technology.”

AGL is targeting full operation of the Torrens Island system by early 2023.

Picture: AGL

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