Origin Energy commits $400m to large-scale battery in Victoria

The news: Energy giant Origin has approved the construction of a large-scale battery at its gas-fired Mortlake Power Station in Victoria, in a deal with energy storage systems supplier Fluence.

The numbers: Origin has committed an investment of roughly $400 million for the 300 megawatt capacity battery, which is expected to deliver output of up to 650 MWh. The battery is expected to be commissioned in 2026.

The context: Origin has been increasing its exposure to renewable energy generation and storage as Australia transitions away from fossil fuels. In 2023, it announced the construction of its first large scale battery at Eraring Power Station in NSW and increased its stake in UK renewables company Octopus to 23%.

What they said: "With the proliferation of wind and solar farms, particularly in Victoria’s South West Renewable Energy Zone, the Mortlake battery will help keep the grid stable and support more renewable energy coming into the system as the market continues to decarbonise," Origin CEO Frank Calabria said in a statement.