Waratah Super Battery Powers Up, First 350 MW Now Online in NSW

Akaysha Energy announced that the first 350 MW / 700 MWh of the Waratah Super Battery is now online. Commissioned by the New South Wales (NSW) Government and developed and operated by Akaysha Energy, the battery is expected to perform its role as a ‘shock absorber’ for the NSW electricity grid in case of events like heatwaves, lightning strikes and bush fires.

Located at the site of the former Munmorah coal-fired power station, roughly 100 km north of Sydney, the battery boasts a physical size of 850 MW / 1680 MWh. Once fully operational later this year, it will provide a guaranteed continuous output of at least 700 MW and a usable storage capacity of at least 1400 MWh, Akaysha notes.

Grid Security in Seconds and a Four-Part Grid Support System

The battery’s massive capacity is designed to serve the grid in critical moments. In practical terms, it can supply electricity to 970,000 homes for an hour,  or power 80,000 homes for a full day.

Its two-hour charge time and the ability to discharge full capacity within seconds makes Waratah Super Battery a rapid-response solution during emergencies, ensuring minimal disruption to NSW residents.

The Waratah Super Battery plays a central role in the broader System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS) - a grid control solution. This includes battery-based SIPS service to supply continuous power during contingencies. It also includes paired generation services from a network of NSW-based power generators that provide grid stability support.

In addition, the Advanced SIPS communication system managed by TransGrid detects faults and triggers fast battery response. It also offers network augmentations through transmission line and substation upgrades to enable higher energy flow across NSW.

Built for Longevity and Cost Efficiency

The battery has been deliberately oversized to account for long-term degradation, ensuring sustained reliability, Akaysha said. This additional capacity also allows Akaysha Energy to access additional revenue streams, helping reduce overall costs to consumers.

The Waratah Super Battery project was awarded to Akaysha Energy in 2022 after a competitive process led by EnergyCo, the NSW Government agency overseeing the project. Since construction began in 2023, the initiative has injected over AUD 1 billion into the local economy and generated more than 700 indirect jobs.