In yet another positive step forward for South Australian electricity customers, AGL has committed to construct a 250MW grid scale battery at Torrens Island which will deliver greater system strength in South Australia's electricity grid.

This will be the fifth grid-scale battery in our state.

Torrens Island has played a huge role in power generation in South Australia for decades, with the Torrens A power station commissioned in 1967, and Torrens B in 1976.

More recently, AGL opened Barkers Inlet Power Station in 2019, a state of the art fast-start generator which, alongside this new big battery and the company’s existing renewable generation assets, will allow Torrens A power station to be retired in an orderly manner.

These investments reflect the changing needs of the South Australian grid, as ageing gas generators are replaced with new assets which are faster, cleaner and can more efficiently fill the gaps between the sun and wind.

AGL Managing Director and CEO, Brett Redman said South Australia is leading the way in the rollout of AGL’s 850MW network of grid-scale batteries.

“We are excited that an AGL grid-scale battery will be part of the orderly energy transition for South Australians,” Mr Redman said

“We put forward our vision for this project less than six months ago and already we are turning it into a reality.

“Generating more power from wind than any other state, we know this battery will be instrumental in maintaining reliable and affordable supply for households and businesses in South Australia.”

This battery has 66% more power, and 25% more storage than the big battery at Hornsdale which itself was expanded in 2019.

Wednesday 24 March 2021