Ampyr Australia has acquired the 270MW Davenport battery energy storage system (BESS) development in South Australia from Green Gold Energy (GGE), renaming the facility the ‘Northern Battery’.
The 270MW system will provide up to 8-hours of energy storage, capable of storing 2,160MWh of energy at the site of the decommissioned Northern Power Station in Port Augusta.
The acquisition advances AMPYR’s commitment to deliver 6GWh of operational battery storage to the Australian grid by 2030, targeting 10-20% of the nation’s future storage demand. Construction is expected to commence in 2026 and will connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Ampyr confirmed that the Northern Battery will be relocated to the site of the former 560MW coal-fired Northern Power Station precinct, where it will be converted into a grid-scale storage facility, capitalising on pre-existing substation infrastructure while minimising community impacts.
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The strategic relocation to the decommissioned coal site represents one of the first decisions under the new partnership between Ampyr and Green Gold Energy.
Ampyr CEO Alex Wonhas emphasised the Northern Battery’s significance for South Australia’s energy evolution, noting that the next phase of the state’s energy transition will be “dominated by energy storage, not generation.”
The accelerated deployment of long-duration grid-scale batteries proves critical for strengthening system reliability and security while reducing consumer costs.
“The Northern Battery represents more than just a storage development; it’s a symbol for the energy transition by transforming a former coal-fired power station into a long-duration storage project,” Wonhas added.
GGE, the Adelaide-based developer that has advanced the project since 2023, will continue supporting development activities under the acquisition agreement. The collaboration combines GGE’s local expertise with Ampyr’s utility-scale battery storage deployment capabilities and international backing from AGP Sustainable Real Assets.
Grid-forming technology enhances system capabilities
The Northern Battery will incorporate grid-forming inverter technology, enabling the system to provide voltage and frequency control services independent of conventional generation sources.
Grid-forming BESS differs from traditional battery storage systems in its ability to actively stabilise the grid by mimicking the behaviour of synchronous generators.
These systems are designed to support the grid’s operational continuity and ensure an uninterrupted power supply, even during grid outages. They often set their own internal voltage waveform reference and can synchronise with the grid or operate independently of other generation sources. This makes them ideal for maintaining system strength in a grid dominated by renewables.
GGE managing director John Huang described the partnership as a strategic milestone combining grid-forming technology, intelligent storage, and market-aligned dispatch capabilities.
“The Northern Battery project is designed as an integrated model that combines grid-forming technology, intelligent storage and market-aligned dispatch, helping South Australia evolve from a leader in renewable energy uptake to a leader in sustainable renewable energy operation,” Huang said.
Several BESS that incorporate grid-forming inverters are being explored in Australia. For instance, French independent power producer (IPP) Neoen recently announced that its 270MW/540MWh Western Downs stage one, which has grid-forming capabilities, in Queensland, started operations.
Another Neoen-owned grid-forming BESS, the 238.5MW/477MWh Blyth Battery in Western Australia, was commissioned in April 2025.
The project serves as a scalable reference for Australia’s energy system transition, demonstrating how utility-scale storage functions as essential infrastructure for net-zero energy systems. GGE positions utility-scale storage and microgrids as critical components enabling stronger system security, lower long-term costs, and greater operational flexibility.
Meanwhile, Ampyr has established an AU$40,000 (US$26,145) Community Benefit Fund to provide direct support for local projects in Port Augusta, demonstrating a commitment to community engagement throughout the development process.
The fund will launch “shortly”, targeting initiatives that deliver lasting benefits to the local community.
The company is working with Nukunu Traditional Owners to build partnerships delivering cultural, economic, and social benefits for First Nations people while supporting project delivery.
The Northern Battery acquisition follows Ampyr’s previous Australian developments, including construction activities in New South Wales and financial close achievements on multiple grid-scale battery projects.
AMPYR operates under AGP Sustainable Real Assets backing, an independent global investor and asset manager with over 860MW of data centre capacity under development and 13GW of clean energy assets operating or under development globally. The company’s energy solutions target emerging industries, including hyperscale data centres that require reliable, cost-effective decarbonisation pathways.
