EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
New South Wales’ Waratah Super Battery has reached final commercial operations, delivering 850 MW of power and 1,680 MWh of energy storage. Built, owned and operated by Akaysha Energy, the system is designed to strengthen grid security, respond rapidly to network disturbances and support renewable energy flows.
Project: Waratah Super Battery
Company: Akaysha Energy
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Power capacity: 850 MW
Energy capacity: 1,680 MWh
Status: Final commercial operations
Site: Former Munmorah coal-fired power station
Owner/operator: Akaysha Energy
Commissioned by: NSW Government
Akaysha Energy, an Australian energy storage developer, owner and operator, has reached final commercial operations at the Waratah Super Battery in New South Wales, Australia. The milestone brings the 850 MW / 1,680 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) into final commercial operation as part of a major electricity infrastructure project for the state.
The Waratah Super Battery was built on the site of the former Munmorah coal-fired power station. Commissioned by the NSW Government, the battery is built, owned and operated by Akaysha Energy.
The battery forms one component of the wider Waratah Super Battery Project. The project also incorporates a System Integrity Protection Scheme Control System delivered by Transgrid.
Together, the battery and control system are designed to respond rapidly to disturbances affecting the electricity network. The infrastructure acts as a shock absorber for the grid while supporting the movement of additional renewable electricity through the transmission system.
Akaysha Energy CEO Nick Carter described final commercial operations as a significant milestone for the company, its project partners and New South Wales. With the project operational, Akaysha Energy said its focus is now on the battery's role in supporting a more reliable, secure and renewable NSW electricity system.
Development of the Waratah Super Battery attracted more than $1 billion in private investment. Approximately 1,000 people were involved across the project's design and construction phases, with 170 workers on site during peak construction.
The project involved EnergyCo, the NSW Government and Transgrid alongside several delivery partners. These included Consolidated Power Projects Australia, Hitachi Energy, Wilson Transformer Company, REPT Battero and EVE Energy.
With final commercial operations achieved, the Waratah Super Battery is positioned as grid-supporting infrastructure within the New South Wales electricity system. Its combination with the System Integrity Protection Scheme Control System is intended to strengthen system security by enabling a rapid response to network disturbances while facilitating increased renewable energy flows across the transmission network.