Transformer failure reduces capacity at Waratah Super Battery in New South Wales
2025Published 7 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
- Where
- Waratah Super Battery in New South Wales, Australia
- Owner
- BlackRock
- Manufacturer
- Wilson Transformer
- What
- Transformer failure during Hold Point testing
- Outcome
- Reduced interim capacity of 350MW
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Akaysha Energy, Wilson Transformer
What happened
The 850MW Waratah Super Battery in New South Wales, Australia, experienced a transformer failure during Hold Point testing as the facility transitioned towards full operational output. Two of the three transformers at the site, manufactured by Wilson Transformer, were affected, with one reportedly suffering damage described as 'beyond repair' according to media reports. The developer, Akaysha Energy, confirmed a temporary loss of capacity was notified to the energy market due to a transformer outage.
The facility continues to operate at a reduced interim capacity of 350MW while engineers conduct detailed diagnostic inspections on site to determine whether the transformers can be rectified or require replacement. The developer stated the situation does not indicate broader system issues or safety faults, and the facility remains connected to the National Electricity Market, continuing to meet its System Integrity Protection Scheme service requirements at the interim capacity. The failure was reported to have occurred in October 2025 and to have delayed commissioning of the project, an AU$1 billion development built by Akaysha Energy, owned by BlackRock, on the site of the former Munmorah coal power station near Budgewoi. The developer's chief executive described the failure internally as catastrophic.
Contributing factors
The failure was identified during Hold Point testing as the battery system was being brought up to its full rated capacity, with issues arising in two of the three transformers at the site, supplied by Wilson Transformer.
Lessons learned
- Transformer failures during Hold Point testing at battery sites require on-site diagnostics before capacity can be restored.
- Three transformers allow a battery to keep supplying grid services at reduced capacity after one fails.
- A single transformer failure can delay full commissioning of an 850MW battery project.
More lessons on design, standards and commissioning, from every incident on the register.
Not yet known
- Cause of the transformer failure
- Model and age of the transformers
- Cost of repairs or replacement
- Time until full 850MW capacity returns
This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.
Published 2026-09-07. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
