by Xinhua writer Xiong Wenyuan
MELBOURNE, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies are taking on a broader role in Australia's growing energy storage market, moving beyond battery cell supply to help integrate systems into the grid and support their long-term operation.
The opportunities are expanding alongside investment. Nine utility-scale battery storage projects representing a combined investment of 4.3 billion Australian dollars began operating in Australia in the first half of this year, according to the latest report from Australia's Clean Energy Council.
At All Energy Australia 2026, an exhibition held in Melbourne on Oct. 28-29, Australian project developers and engineering firms said Chinese suppliers' technology, manufacturing capacity and delivery capabilities were helping bring local storage projects into operation.
One example is the Waratah Super Battery in New South Wales, which reached full commercial operation in September. Using cells supplied by China's EVE Energy and REPT BATTERO, the facility acts as a grid "shock absorber," responding rapidly to disturbances and allowing more renewable electricity to reach consumers through the transmission network.
Paul Curnow, managing director and chief commercial officer of Australian storage developer and operator Akaysha Energy, told Xinhua that technical performance, competitive pricing and local technical support were key reasons for choosing the two Chinese suppliers.
For engineering contractors, Chinese manufacturers' scale and speed of delivery also make a difference.
Chris Kennedy, commissioning director of Australian power engineering company EPEC Group, said those strengths, combined with cost competitiveness, helped improve project economics and move projects forward.
EPEC is working alongside Chinese battery maker CATL at the Maryvale solar and storage project, also in New South Wales. CATL is supplying the storage system, while EPEC is responsible for the high-voltage substation's design and construction and related control systems.
Integrating the batteries with the plant's control systems is a key area of cooperation, said EPEC Group Executive Director Mark Parker.
"We're very appreciative of what Chinese companies have done for the energy transition," he said.
As Australia's energy needs evolve, customers are also asking suppliers for different kinds of storage.
Andrew Tang, chief executive officer of REPT BATTERO's overseas business, said demand for four-hour systems was growing, with customers also asking about six- and eight-hour options that would allow surplus electricity to be stored for use at other times.
EVE Energy's cooperation with Akaysha is likewise expanding beyond cell supply to a broader range of products and solutions, including batteries, battery packs and battery systems, said Chen Mengmeng, head of the company's international power products department.
Envision Energy, meanwhile, is pursuing opportunities to combine wind power, storage and artificial intelligence in Australia.
Li Tao, its general manager for Australia, the Middle East and Africa, said a rising share of renewable power, efforts to decarbonize mining operations and growing electricity demand from data centers were driving demand for storage.
Serving that market requires more than equipment. Companies are also strengthening their local presence to support project delivery and maintenance.
EVE Energy has established a subsidiary in Melbourne and plans to expand its local service team. Chen said Australia's demanding requirements for grid connection modeling, product reliability and compliance made it essential to understand how equipment would be used and provide timely technical support.
Envision is developing local spare-parts warehouses and a round-the-clock operations and maintenance service center, while training local delivery and service teams, Li said. With projects scattered across Australia's vast territory, the aim is to maintain equipment promptly and reduce losses from downtime.
Jackie Trad, chief executive officer of the Clean Energy Council, told Xinhua that China was at the forefront of energy technology innovation, making continued close engagement with Chinese companies and technical experts important.
The benefits also extend to households, she said, pointing to Chinese-made batteries that help Australians manage electricity consumption and storage while cutting energy bills.
Describing China as an important partner in Australia's energy transition, Trad called for cooperation to continue.
"It needs to continue if our transition is going to be a success," she said. ■