Lake Macquarie has a long history of powering NSW. With the delivery of a large scale Battery Energy Storage System or BESS at Eraring our region will continue that legacy.

Today Origin Energy celebrated the completion of Battery 1 which will help to ensure grid stability as we transition to renewable energy delivery State-wide. I thank Origin for this investment in our community as the Power Station nears the end of its operational life.

I have enjoyed visiting the site as the project has progressed and have seen the transformation from a power station to becoming home to a BESS. Once complete it will be the largest in the southern hemisphere, with Battery 2 coming online next year.

These systems are needed to ensure a smooth transition and, with the completion of the Hunter Transmission Project, will support the State's renewable energy infrastructure.