Origin Energy renewable energy and storage strategy

Origin Energy is adjusting its renewable energy and storage strategy in Australia. In late September 2026, the company withdrew from the Skye Ridge Wind Farm project near Walcha, citing a “significant increase in the cost of building new wind generation.” Origin intends to redirect resources toward the Northern Tablelands Wind Farm, which it identifies as having the “strongest prospect of timely delivery.”

Concurrently, the company is expanding its energy storage footprint. Origin has sought federal environmental approval for the Eraring BESS North project, a 500 MW / 4,942 MWh addition to the battery precinct at the Eraring coal-fired power station site. This expansion aims to bring the total precinct capacity to 1,200 MW and 8,600 MWh to provide dispatchable firming capacity as the National Electricity Market transitions from coal toward variable renewable energy. The precinct is being developed in stages, with the first phase expected to connect in early 2026 and a second stage in early 2027. If approved, construction on the Eraring North expansion could begin in 2028, with full operations projected for early to mid-2031.

In October 2026, Origin also commenced planning for the decommissioning of the Eraring power station, Australia’s largest coal-fired generator. The company submitted a scoping report to the NSW Department of Planning regarding the demolition and rehabilitation of site infrastructure. CEO Frank Calabria confirmed the company remains focused on the scheduled closure of the 2,880-megawatt plant in April 2029, noting that starting the decommissioning process now is intended to minimize the gap between the end of coal-fired generation and the commencement of site rehabilitation.