A 300MW/650MWh battery storage system in the Mortlake region has been given the green light, after Origin Energy issued a Notice to Proceed to the EPC contractor, Fluence, which is set to deliver the grid boosting project.
Initially announced in late 2022 on behalf of the Federal Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will provide up to $24 million in funding to the project, as part of the $176 million Large Scale Battery Storage Funding Round (Funding Round).
At a total cost of around $400 million, the battery, situated near the existing Mortlake Power Station, will provide grid forming and stability services to the region’s growing number of wind and solar farms, particularly in Victoria’s South West Renewable Energy Zone. Fluence has been appointed as the EPC contractor and will utilise grid forming inverters supplied by SMA.
The Funding Round allocated funding to eight grid scale battery projects across Australia. Each battery will be equipped with grid-forming inverter technology, allowing them to provide essential system stability services.
ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said that the project highlights the growing importance of grid forming capabilities for the energy grid.
“As traditional forms of energy generation are phased out, new clean technologies are required to take their place. Large scale batteries can play a significant role in providing system stability services, particularly when fitted with advanced grid forming inverters,” Mr Miller said.
“The decision to proceed by Origin further highlights the increased confidence in grid-forming inverter technology and the strong market incentives driving investment in battery storage.”
The battery is expected to be commissioned in late 2026.
Five of the eight projects that were successful in the Funding Round have been financially committed. These include:
- Neoen
Project: Western Downs BESS
Size (MW/MWh): 255/510
Inverter OEM: Tesla - Neoen
Project: Blyth BESS
Size (MW/MWh): 200/400
Inverter OEM: Power Electronics - Neoen
Project: VBB BESS (retrofit of grid-forming capability)
Size (MW/MWh): 300/450
Inverter OEM: Tesla - AGL
Project: Liddell BESS
Size (MW/MWh): 500/1,000
Inverter OEM: Power Electronics - Origin
Project: Mortlake BESS
Size (MW/MWh): 300/650
Inverter OEM: SMA
