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[Australia's Largest Battery Energy Storage Project Running at Full Capacity] Australia's most powerful battery energy storage project has begun operating at full capacity, adding critical fast-response capability to the power system as aging coal-fired plants are retired and renewable energy generation expands. The New South Wales government said on Monday that the Australian Energy Market Operator has approved the Waratah Super Battery in the state for full operation. The battery has an energy storage capacity of 1,680 megawatt hours and has been in partial operation since August 2025. State Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said in a statement: "As aging coal-fired power plants retire, this project will help ensure electricity supply for households and enterprises while allowing more renewable energy to flow into the grid."

[15th Five-Year Plan for the New-Type Battery Industry: Develop High-Safety Lithium Batteries for Consumer Electronics and Enhance the Safety of NEV Power Batteries] The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and six other departments have jointly issued the 15th Five-Year Plan for the New-Type Battery Industry. The plan proposes improving energy density, power density, and cycle life through process optimization, material upgrades, and structural innovation. It calls for developing high-safety lithium batteries for consumer electronics, enhancing the safety, fast-charging performance, low-temperature adaptability, lightweight design, and energy density of power batteries for NEVs and electric vessels, and developing high-safety, large-capacity, grid-forming ESS batteries with ultra-long cycle life.

The total investment of the project is 6.5 billion yuan, with 12 new box furnace production lines and 20 crucible furnace production lines, along with supporting auxiliary and ancillary production facilities, utility stations, and integrated environmental protection treatment facilities.