The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC, NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Hon Yasmin Catley MP, NSW Minister for the Hunter
Dan Repacholi MP, Member for Hunter
With backing from the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments, the giant Liddell Battery, built on the site of one of Australia's largest retired coal-fired power stations, is gearing up to provide enough power to support around 200,000 homes on the nation's main electricity grid within months.
Located on the site of the former Liddell Power Station, the battery shows how the Hunter can continue its proud role powering Australia, while creating the infrastructure needed for a cleaner, more reliable energy system.
Backed by $35 million from the Albanese Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Liddell Battery is another example of our plan to deliver reliable renewable energy and support jobs in regional Australia.
The Minns Labor Government backed the project with a long-term contract for revenue underwriting under a Long Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) awarded in November 2023. The NSW Government also funded more engineers to speed up grid connections to the battery.
At the peak of construction, more than 600 workers were involved in the project.
With construction of the 500MW/1000 MWh battery now complete, commissioning is underway with a target for the battery to be operational by mid-year.
The battery will help keep the grid stable and reliable and as more renewable energy comes online.
Charged by renewable energy during the day when it is abundant and dispatching it when demand is high, it will provide firming capacity to the National Electricity Market (NEM) by helping to balance supply and demand and supporting grid reliability.
This is what a Future Made in Australia looks like in practice, with the significant employment of apprentices, local procurement - including 95% of steel being sourced locally - and working with First Nations businesses.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
"Liddell helped power New South Wales for generations. Now the same site is helping power the next chapter, with one of Australia's largest batteries backing reliable renewable energy for decades to come."
"The Hunter has always been an energy powerhouse, and it will remain one. Our job is to make sure communities like this are at the centre of Australia's energy transformation, with more investment, more reliable power and more local jobs."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson:
"Today's launch of the Liddell Battery is a great example of the clean energy transition's acceleration under the Albanese Government.
"Australians are embracing the cheapest, cleanest forms of renewable energy that our country is blessed with - we are backing that in with these large-scale advanced batteries that harness the abundance of sunshine and wind to make sure that electricity is delivered when and where it is needed.
"The powerhouse Hunter region has not only understood the challenge of one of the most significant economic shifts since the Industrial Revolution, but it has also grasped the opportunity of the clean energy transition and delivered a real work horse facility that will provide power security for thousands of homes and businesses across the NEM."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe:
"The Liddell Battery is another example of our strong progress to replace retiring coal with clean energy, all while keeping the lights on and putting downward pressure on prices.
"The Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone is already delivering local jobs and economic growth. This battery adds more support for the region providing reliable power for 200,000 homes for two hours.
"The Minns Labor Government is backing big battery projects right across NSW, harvesting sunshine and wind to power our homes and businesses around the clock."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
"The Hunter has powered NSW for generations, and projects like the Liddell Battery show we'll continue to power the state well into the future, just in a different way.
"This is what the energy transformation looks like in the Hunter. New industries, new opportunities and good local jobs for our communities."
BACKGROUND
Battery commissioning is the preparatory phase between end of construction and operation.
It involves verifying, testing, and transitioning the new facility from installation to operational readiness. Systems are energised and process conditions are introduced to ensure its readiness for operation.
At the same time as coal generation fell to its lowest level on record, and gas to its lowest in 25 years, in the final quarter of 2025 renewable energy generation and battery storage supplied more than 50% of electricity to the National Electricity Market for the first time.
