Wärtsilä will deliver Australia’s largest DC-coupled hybrid battery system, its second in the country. The system will power up to 120,000 homes and businesses and strengthen the National Electricity Market (NEM). The order will be booked in Q4 2025.
DC-coupled technology directly links solar generation with battery storage via a DC/DC converter. This reduces energy losses, captures more solar power, and improves system efficiency and economics. It also stabilizes the grid amid rising solar and wind curtailment.
The project has secured Generator Performance Standards (GPS) approval, a key step for large-scale integration of solar and storage. Wärtsilä’s optimisation technology ensures smooth operation. The system comes with a 20-year service agreement.
David Hebert, Vice President of Global Sales Management at Wärtsilä Energy Storage, said: “This project is larger than our earlier DC-coupled system. It proves the value of hybrid renewable plants and supports a financially viable renewable energy future. It will stabilize Australia’s grid and advance decarbonisation goals.”
Wärtsilä’s GEMS intelligent controls will manage the integration of the battery and solar assets. The Hybrid Power Plant Controller coordinates power flow, meets grid requirements, optimizes charge and discharge cycles, and maximizes project value.
This will be Wärtsilä’s ninth battery energy storage site in Australia, expanding its local footprint to 1.5GW / 5.5GWh. The project is expected to start operations in 2028 and will contribute to Australia’s net-zero target by 2045.
