Finnish technology company Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract to deliver a 350MW / 1474MWh battery energy storage system in Victoria, Australia, under a partnership with EnergyAustralia. The project, part of EnergyAustralia's push toward cleaner energy solutions, marks a significant step in the country's renewable energy transition.
The Wooreen Energy Storage System will be built adjacent to EnergyAustralia's Jeeralang Power Station, with construction set to begin in 2025. The facility is expected to be completed by 2027, ahead of the scheduled shutdown of the coal-fired Yallourn Power Station in 2028. Upon completion, the system is projected to supply electricity to more than 230,000 homes for up to four hours at a time.
The contract includes engineering design, supply, commissioning, and a 15-year service agreement. The project was successful in the first round of the Australian government's Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), an initiative aimed at boosting the country's renewable energy and dispatchable capacity. The goal is to reach 32GW of renewable generation and dispatchable capacity by 2030.
EnergyAustralia Managing Director Mark Collette emphasized the importance of the project in the company's broader sustainability goals, stating, “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.”
For Wärtsilä, the project marks a significant milestone in expanding its presence in Australia. The company's Energy Storage Vice President Andrew Tang noted the importance of the partnership, saying, “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.”
The Wooreen system will utilize Wärtsilä's Quantum High Energy technology and GEMS Digital Energy Platform, which the company believes will help to stabilize Victoria's energy supply, facilitating the integration of renewable energy into the grid. With this development, Wärtsilä will expand its 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,” added Tang.
Once operational, the energy storage system will play a crucial role in enhancing grid stability and enabling more renewable energy to flow into the electricity network.
