Waratah Super Battery: Powering Towards Completion in NSW
The Waratah Super Battery project (WSB), situated in New South Wales, marks a significant milestone in the region’s energy infrastructure.
Consolidated Power Projects Australia (CPP) shoulders the responsibility of designing and constructing key components for WSB. These include a 330kV substation, an overhead line (OHL) connection to the Munmorah Substation, and an 850MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Led by Project Manager Stephen Brannigan and Site Manager Barnie Bezuidenhout, this venture commenced on April 17, 2023, with an ambitious schedule aiming for completion by late January 2025.
A major lift operation has been ongoing from April, resulting in the successful installation of critical infrastructure. This includes:
- Landing of 145 Static Step Up Transformers (SUTs) on-site
- Landing of 288 inverters on-site
- Landing of 2352 Batteries
- Landing of 288 Combiner segments
- Landing and installation of 12 RMU Buildings
- Landing and installation of 3 Switchgear buildings and 1 Control Building
- Installation of the gantry
- Installation of all 330kv primary Plant within the substation
- Over 3000 Truck movements to install the BESS equipment
The project currently has over 180 staff members, and at its peak, the team reached 220. This highlights the scale and complexity of the endeavour.
Stephen Brannigan explained it’s the greatest challenge of the job. “The biggest challenge I’ve faced has been the sheer size of the project. Every aspect of procurement has been demanding; with even routine items, such as steel, FAT testing, MV cables, and DC cables which are becoming complex due to the project’s size, as well as the constraints of our laydown space.”
“For a project of this magnitude, procurement items must be meticulously staged and delivered in phases, in line with the civil program, to manage these space constraints and the scale of the project. To provide some context, we had to plan and manage over 3,500 truck movements to deliver equipment without disrupting the main construction. To achieve this, my team needed to maintain a broad perspective, focusing on maximizing productivity while ensuring safety was never compromised.”
With significant milestones reached and a dedicated team pushing forward, the project is on track for completion in 2025, with the substation scheduled to be energised in August 2024.
“Taking on the WSB project has offered numerous benefits for CPP, including the opportunity to build one of the largest batteries in the world and expand the CPP team. As a leader in major BESS projects, CPP is experiencing significant growth, positioning itself for tier-one project status” Mr. Brannigan explains.
The Waratah Super Battery project stands as a testament to the commitment of Consolidated Power Projects towards advancing energy solutions in New South Wales.
