Finnish firm Wärtsilä and AGL Energy have concluded the construction of the 250MW/250MWh Torrens Island grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) in South Australia.

As the second-largest operational battery in the country, the BESS facility will be able to power 75,000 South Australian homes for a period of one hour.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The battery has the scope to extend this duration to four hours in the future.

Wärtsilä Energy storage and optimisation vice-president Andrew Tang stated: “Australia’s energy transition is all about balance. Wärtsilä is partnering with AGL to help balance the intermittency of renewables and provide flexible energy capacity while reducing their operational and lifetime costs.

“This landmark project is helping Australia take a major step towards a 100% renewable grid and its net zero emissions target. We’re proud to say our energy storage system is helping to maintain reliable and affordable electricity for South Australians.”

Balancing the energy generated by the renewable energy source, the battery also provides stability and reliability to the grid.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

The project also supports the country’s decarbonisation goals.

AGL CEO Damien Nicks stated: “This is a significant milestone in AGL’s transition journey as we continue to accelerate the build-out of up to 12GW of renewable and firming capacity by 2035, playing our part in Australia’s energy transition.

“We are taking action to deliver on our transition goals – this battery was constructed within 18 months – a great example of what can be achieved when government, regulators and the private sector are all working together.”

Power Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Power Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Recognised with three 2025 Power Technology Excellence Awards, Hover Energy is at the forefront of intelligent microgrids and distributed renewables. Explore how its AI-enabled Microgrid Management System™ , strategic partnerships and networked microgrids are rebuilding the grid from the ground up for a more flexible, resilient energy future.

Discover the Impact