Port of Newcastle (PON) has become the first port in New South Wales approved to safely store grid-scale lithium-ion batteries at its Mayfield Multipurpose Terminal, strengthening its position as the state’s leading logistics gateway for renewable energy infrastructure and giving project owners greater flexibility in delivering critical energy projects.
The announcement comes as the NSW government today approved the Stratford Pumped Hydro and Solar Project, another major milestone under the state’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
As projects like Stratford move from planning to construction, PON is playing an increasingly important role, providing the logistics capability to safely receive, store and distribute the equipment needed to deliver them.
The approval for battery storage, granted by the NSW government in late 2025 following extensive collaboration with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, has already enabled PON to receive and store batteries destined for three of the state’s largest battery projects — AGL’s Tomago Battery, Origin Energy’s Eraring Battery, and Bellambi Heights Battery Energy Storage System.
Together, these projects represent approximately 1.7GW of dispatchable capacity and 6.8GWh of energy storage, enough stored electricity to power over one million homes for four hours during periods of peak demand.
The capability builds on PON’s established role handling oversized renewable energy cargo, including wind turbine components for projects across NSW, demonstrating the port’s capability in managing complex project cargo and supporting diversification of the state’s energy supply.
Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said becoming the first port in NSW approved to store lithium-ion batteries was another important step in the port’s diversification strategy.
“These are complex cargoes that require specialist handling, purpose-built infrastructure and the right safety systems,” said Carmody.
“We’ve invested in that capability because we see where the market is heading and what our customers will need.”
Carmody said the achievement reflected the strength of the port’s long-standing partnerships with industry and government.
“Projects like these only happen when industry and government work together,” said Carmody.
He added that PON appreciated the collaborative approach taken by Minister Paul Scully, the state government and NSW government agencies, stating that their support had helped create the right conditions for the port to invest in new capability and continue building infrastructure for the state’s energy future.
Demand for the capability has grown rapidly since approval, with PON now receiving battery shipments for projects across its catchment while continuing to handle wind energy components supporting renewable developments throughout NSW.
To support this growth, PON is investing in expanded infrastructure at its Multipurpose Terminal, including a current $36 million berth extension to accommodate larger vessels, and is exploring increased capacity for project cargo and battery storage.
The investments form part of the port’s broader diversification strategy, strengthening its ability to support emerging industries while maintaining its position as Australia’s largest coal export port and a key trade gateway for traditional bulk commodities.
AGL’s Chief Operations and Construction Officer, Matthew Currie, said the company’s grid-scale battery fleet was growing, with construction underway on AGL’s 500 MW/2000 MWh Tomago Battery, expected to be operational in the second half of 2027.
Grid-scale batteries, he said, are critical to Australia’s energy transition, supporting reliability and stability by dispatching energy when customers and the grid need it.
“As we prepare for the installation of more than 400 lithium-ion battery units to form the Tomago Battery, the ability to safely receive and temporarily store battery units and other components at the Port of Newcastle is providing important flexibility for our project team,” said Currie.
