February 2021 – As an important component of our vision for the Greenspot 2845 Activity Hub, we have commenced the planning approvals process, seeking development consent for the construction, operation and maintenance of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of 500 MW capacity that would provide 1,000 MWh of energy storage.
The Project, if approved, will be strategically important for two overarching reasons:
- First, it will help to support the NSW Government’s electricity strategy for a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity future that supports a growing economy.
- Second, it will also be a significant enabler for the generation of economic activity at the ‘Greenspot 2845 Activity Hub’, providing a stable, reliable and cost-effective energy source for our future redevelopment.
The name of the Battery
The Wallerawang Power Station was operational for almost 60 years and the last two generator units to be decommissioned in 2014 were units 7 and 8. In continuation of this legacy and reflecting the long-term role the Power Station played in the NSW energy sector, the battery will be known as the ‘Wallerawang 9 Battery’.
Overview of the Project
The Project will involve construction and operation of a large-scale BESS.
The BESS would require a built area of about 10 hectares of land at a location to be determined within the Project Site of about 40 hectares as shown in this PDF file.
The location and configuration of the final built form of the Project would be confirmed as part of further design developments and detailed within the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Project.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2022 and the battery is anticipated to be operational in 2023 with a design life of at least 20 years.
Final built form features would include:
- An operational large-scale BESS including battery enclosures, inverters and transformers.
- A transmission line connection (either above ground and/or underground) between the BESS and the adjacent TransGrid Wallerawang 330kV substation. Two options are currently being considered as shown on the overview figure. There is no requirement for any third party easements.
- Ancillary upgrades to the Wallerawang 330kV substation.
- Site access from the Castlereagh Highway via an upgrade of the existing service road.
- Internal site access road and car park.
- A permanent office and staff amenities.
- Installation of utilities (e.g. telecommunications).
- Stormwater management infrastructure, lighting, fencing and security.
- Subdivision of the proposed site.
To view the full Scoping Report for the Project which has been lodged with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, view this PDF file
What are the next steps?
In the near future we will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Project. The EIS will include more detailed information about the Project, including:
- Its design and how it will be constructed.
- An assessment of key environmental issues associated with construction and operation of the Project.
- A description of any measures and strategies to be implemented to avoid, minimise, and manage the potential impacts of the Project.
- Identification and response to issues raised by DPIE, other stakeholders and the community.
The EIS will be placed on public exhibition, during which time there will be an opportunity to discuss the project and provide a formal submission on any aspect of the project.
Greenspot will continue to engage with the community and key stakeholders in the lead up to the public exhibition of the EIS, throughout exhibition and after it is completed.