The Australian port of Newcastle is now receiving and storing grid-scale lithium-ion batteries for three of New South Wales’ largest battery energy storage projects, following authorization granted in late 2025.
The announcement comes after the state government’s approval for the Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar Project, with the port playing a logistics role for receiving, storing and distributing related equipment for the clean energy project.
The approval for battery storage was granted in late 2025 and has already enabled PON to receive and store batteries destined for three of the state’s largest battery projects. These include AGL’s 500 MW/2,000 MWh Tomago Battery, Origin Energy’s 700 MW/3,160 MWh Eraring Battery, and Vena Energy’s 408 MW Bellambi Heights Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
Together, the projects represent approximately 1.7 GW of dispatchable capacity and 6.8 GWh of energy storage with combined capacity to power over a million homes for four hours during periods of peak demand.
PON has also already been handling oversized renewable energy cargo, including wind turbine components for projects across NSW.
Port of Newcastle Chief Executive Officer Craig Carmody said being the first port in NSW approved to store lithium-ion batteries is another important step in the Port’s diversification strategy.
“This isn’t just a milestone for Port of Newcastle – it’s yet another way we’re helping customers deliver the infrastructure NSW needs to support a more diverse energy mix,” Carmody said. “These are complex cargoes that require specialist handling, purpose-built infrastructure and the right safety systems. We’ve invested in that capability because we see where the market is heading and what our customers will need.”
The EnergyCo AUD 183 million ($128 million) Port to Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) project, includes $50 million for the Central-West Orana REZ for safety and capacity upgrades primarily along the Golden Highway, as well as between the Port of Newcastle and the Central West.
While the port exports approximately 140 million metric tons of coal annually, it reported a record 11.12 million metric tons of non-coal cargo handled in 2025.
“We’ve seen particularly strong demand for the import and export of machinery and project cargo,” Carmody said. “A major contributor to this was the arrival of wind turbine components for the Uungula Wind Farm within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.”
Carmody said the record results underline Port of Newcastle’s critical role as a key logistics hub supporting government and private renewable energy projects.
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