The Waratah Super Battery energy storage facility, built in New South Wales, Australia, has begun operations. Operated by BlackRock subsidiary Akaysha Energy, the facility will be the world’s most powerful battery in terms of power output when fully operational.
Most Powerful Battery Facility Launched
Currently operating with 350 megawatts of power and 700 megawatt-hours of energy storage, the system will reach 850 megawatts of power and 1,680 megawatt-hours by the end of the year. This capacity is enough to power approximately 1 million homes for one hour.
The facility, built with an investment of A$648 million, aims to fill a critical gap in the country’s electricity infrastructure. Waratah was developed to offset the expected increase in electricity demand as coal-fired power plants are phased out by 2035.
Located on the site of a former coal-fired power plant on Sydney’s north shore, the battery can deliver full power to the grid within seconds during power outages and can be fully recharged in just two hours.
Waratah Super Battery serves areas with high electricity consumption, such as Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong. By preventing overloading of transmission lines in these areas, it ensures the uninterrupted transmission of electricity from renewable energy sources. This increases the continuity of generation, particularly from solar energy, and ensures a more stable energy supply.
Once fully operational, the facility, built on approximately 14 hectares, will surpass the 750-megawatt Kogan Creek coal-fired power plant, becoming the country’s largest grid-connected power unit. This transition represents a milestone symbolizing Australia’s transition away from fossil fuels and toward energy storage technologies.
The system has the capacity to support not only homes but also a variety of usage scenarios. For example, one hour of full output can charge 45.95 million smartphones. Or, based on an average daily consumption of 21 kWh, it can provide a full day’s electricity to 80,000 homes.
The Waratah Super Battery plays a key role in Australia’s energy transition and concretely demonstrates the advancement of large-scale battery technology.
