Introduction

EnergyAustralia recognises that the proposed site for the Mt Piper battery energy storage system is on the traditional Country of Wiradjuri peoples and respects and acknowledges their continued connection to Country and culture.

We are currently investigating the development of a new battery energy storage system (BESS) on a preferred site adjacent to our operating Mt Piper power station, near Lithgow.  The Development Application for this project was recently submitted to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for review. Community members and stakeholders now have the opportunity to review the application and provide feedback during the 28-day public exhibition stage. 

The development parameters for the project are a BESS with a capacity of up to 500 MW and a duration of up to four hours of dispatchable energy. If developed, the project will help improve diversity and reliability of electricity supply for customers.

 

Visual representation of the proposed Mt Piper BESS

About the Mt Piper Battery Energy Storage System

The Mt Piper BESS proposes to utilise nearby, existing electricity infrastructure to develop a grid-scale battery with the capacity to dispatch up to 500 MW of power to the electricity network over a duration of up to four hours.
A BESS is an energy storage system that can capture energy from multiple different sources, accumulate that energy, and store it for later use. Energy is discharged from the battery to meet demand when needed. Lithium is one of the leading materials used in grid scale battery projects due to its light weight, durability, and low maintenance needs; however, the final battery composition for this project is yet to be determined.
Building a BESS adjacent to the Mt Piper power station (within existing EnergyAustralia landholdings) is anticipated to have low environmental and social impacts. The project will also avoid the need to construct lengthy new overhead power lines across private land due to its proximity to existing network infrastructure.  
As a State Significant Development, the Mt Piper BESS project requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to support the planning and assessment process run by DPHI
 

Current Project timeline

  • November 2022 – Scoping Report submitted to NSW DPE
  • December 2022 – Planning Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) issued’
  • January 2023 – Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) studies commenced.
  • May 2024 – EIS submitted’
  • June 2024 – EIS exhibition concludes. 

For further information on the project, read our Fact Sheet below.

The Development Application for this project, including the EIS and all technical assessments, is available for review and feedback from Friday 31 May to Thursday 27th June. 

Interested community members and stakeholders can make a feedback submission through the DPHI Major Projects Portal during this period. 

Review the full Development Application on the DPHI Major Projects Portal 
Find out more about how to make a submission

Next steps

After the public exhibition period, the Department will consider the full application, all stakeholder and community feedback and any social, environmental, or economic impacts the project is expected to have.

A decision will then be made about the project and published on the DPHI website, including reasoning behind the decision and how community feedback has been taken into account. 

This energy storage technology has great potential to help supply the people of New South Wales with a reliable source of electricity when demand is high. It will also support renewable energy development and could help to sustain Lithgow’s future as an energy hub. Energy storage projects are an important part of the national transition to a more secure and reliable energy future.

For more information on the Mt. Piper BESS, please contact us on:

Email on: community@EnergyAustralia.com.au
Phone: 1800 574 947
Postal Address: EnergyAustralia NSW Pty Ltd, 350 Boulder Road, Portland NSW 2847.