Australia’s utility-scale energy storage market is set to grow after a deal between Maoneng and power retailer AGL to deliver 200MW/400MWh in New South Wales.
The deal will see Maoneng develop four 50MW/100MWh batteries with, AGL securing the rights to call on capacity as required at a fixed price for 15 years.
The first system is due to be operational by 2023 with the remaining capacity added in the next 15 years.
The systems will provide firming capacity as the country shifts between baseload power and renewables— including the December 2017 deal where AGL agreed to buy 100MW of capacity from Maoneng’s Sunraysia Solar Farm, and a further 200MW offtake from additional solar projects.
Qiao Han Nan, Group vice president of Maoneng, told BEST Battery Briefing: “These will be large-scale batteries and each battery will be capable of stocking/dispatching at least 50MW/100MWh. We have not locked down on the chemical composition of the battery yet.
“We have received partnership offers from the best battery manufacturers around the world and feel that the strategic alignment of the supply chain which includes global manufacturers, local contractors and the network operator is critical for the successful role-out of these batteries.”
The company said it would share more information on who will supply the battery systems as those decisions are made.