AGL has lodged a planning application to the Victorian Minister for Planning and Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning for a 200MW, four-hour duration grid-scale battery at Loy Yang Power Station in the Latrobe Valley.

The project is part of AGL’s commitment to Australia’s energy transition which also included the development of 850MW of grid-scale batteries by 2024.

AGL chief operating officer Markus Brokhof says batteries will be an important part of the technology mix needed to deliver Australia’s energy needs in the decades ahead: “This project will play a critical role in transforming the reliability of renewables in Victoria, providing essential firming capacity and storage.

“With the commissioning of Loy Yang A in 1985, the Latrobe Valley has a long and proud history of generating electricity to thousands of Australian households and businesses.”

He adds that the region will continue to play an important role in providing reliable and affordable energy.

“It is through low emission firming technologies like batteries that we can create sustainable energy for our customers as well as deliver on our Climate Statement commitments which include net-zero emissions by 2050,” he says.

“Since acquiring Loy Yang A in 2012, we’ve been committed to supporting the community and this battery is yet another part of AGL’s future in the region.”

In addition to the proposed battery at Loy Yang, AGL is also developing a 250MW battery at its Torrens Island power station, a 150MW battery at its Liddell power station and a 50MW battery in Broken Hill as well as supporting grid-scale battery projects including Wandoan, Maoneng and Dalrymple.