Shell Energy holds the development rights for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, located within the Greenspot Wallerawang precinct, being the site of the former Wallerawang Power Station and surrounding lands, near Lithgow in the Central West of New South Wales (NSW).
Pending a Final Investment Decision, the battery will be located within the Wallerawang Power Station site, where two 500MW coal-fired generating units were decommissioned in 2014. The BESS will be known as ‘Wallerawang 9’, acknowledging decades of operation of units 1-8 within the site, and honouring the role Lithgow has played in meeting the nation’s energy needs. The location is ideal, being adjacent to the Wallerawang substation which provides an ideal point for a BESS to connect to the electricity grid
Batteries store energy when it is plentiful, typically during periods of high renewable generation such as in the daytime when solar generation is peaking, and distribute it back to the grid when demand is high. The ability to back up the electricity grid is called firming generation.
The Wallerawang 9 BESS project is expected to be developed in two stages, Stage 1: 300MW/2.6hrs, and Stage 2: up to 300MW/4hrs, with Development Approval obtained for both Stages and Grid connection obtained for Stage 1.
The construction of the Wallerawang 9 BESS project will contribute to the Lithgow economy and to the economy of the NSW Central-West more broadly. The project is expected to take up to 20 30 months to construct and commission, with a construction workforce of up to 100 people at peak times.
The project will generate direct and indirect benefits to the local community, including:
The project site is located within the broader, 620 hectare Greenspot landholding comprising the decommissioned Wallerawang Power Station and surrounding lands. The project is in an area historically used for electricity generation and is a compatible land use in this location.
The Wallerawang 9 project will provide flow-on benefits to the local community. A Voluntary Planning Agreement is proposed under which some of these benefits would be delivered.
The main objectives of the Planning Agreement are to:
The Wallerawang 9 BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) is a utility scale BESS to be located in Wallerawang near Lithgow, NSW, Australia, pending final investment decision. Once constructed and commissioned, it will provide up to 600MW capacity of flexible and reliable energy services. Wallerawang 9 BESS, named to acknowledge and honour the eight previously operated generator units at the Wallerawang Power Station, will be connected to the electricity grid through the adjacent Wallerawang 330kV substation, which is operated by TransGrid.
The Wallerawang 9 BESS will help to stabilise New South Wales’ state electricity supply by providing additional storage capacity and enabling discharge of supply at times of peak demand. Batteries have a vital role to play in the energy transition, addressing the intermittency of renewables and providing important system stability. Wallerawang Substation is a major sub-station in NSW’s electricity network and provides an ideal point for a BESS to connect to the grid.
The Wallerawang 9 BESS is to be constructed within an area of approximately 20 hectares which forms part of the broader 620 hectare Greenspot landholding. Care has been taken to ensure the BESS is sited appropriately within the local context. The approved development application is supported by technical reports Assessment which outline appropriate design and management measures.
Subject to a Final Investment Decision, construction of the W9BESS is expected to begin in 2026.
Battery technology is an essential element in the decarbonisation of the energy sector, providing firming for solar and wind, and vital grid stability services. BESS are a key technology to provide firming capacity to the grid and provide a reliable source of energy as Australia reduces its reliance on centrally generated fossil fuel electricity. BESS also provide grid stability and can help to power up the grid in an event of a blackout. Once stages 1 and 2 are completed, the Wallerawang 9 BESS can can provide up to 300MW of dispatchable power over 2.6 hours for Stage 1, and up to 300MW of dispatchable power over four hours for Stage 2.
A BESS is typically designed to last 20 years, which can be extended with maintenance and replacement of some components of the facility.
The BESS solution is based on lithium-ion battery energy storage technology.
Please refer to the ‘Planning’ page for an overview of construction and operational noise from the development.
The Wallerawang 9 BESS will be constructed within the land holding of the broader Greenspot landholding where a multipurpose precinct is proposed. Careful consideration has been given to its siting within the the local context. The site may include the construction of boundary noise attenuation walls and vegetation buffers around the BESS site which will help to mitigate visual impacts and ensure appropriate integration with the site surroundings.
Shell Energy is currently working through a modification to the existing development approval for the Wallerawang 9 BESS as well as on the necessary grid connection approval process for the BESS. Development approvals have been obtained for Stages 1 and 2, with the grid connection (534A) obtained for Stage 1. The project is subject to a Final Investment Decision by Shell Energy.
Please contact Greenspot here.
