5 Key Facts About AGL's Giant Battery Project in Coal Country and the Rare Lizard It Must Protect
AGL Energy has secured federal environmental approval under the EPBC Act to construct a massive grid-scale battery in the heart of coal country. The project, located in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, aims to store renewable energy and help stabilise the grid. But the green light comes with a twist: strict conditions designed to shield a tiny, elusive reptile—the endangered legless lizard that calls this area home. Here are five crucial things you need to know about this landmark approval.
1. The Battery Is a Key Piece in Australia's Clean Energy Puzzle
The proposed battery will have a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) with a 1,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) storage capability, making it one of the largest in the country. Located near AGL's existing coal-fired power station at Bayswater, it is designed to store excess solar and wind energy and release it during peak demand. This project is part of AGL's broader transition away from coal and towards renewables, a critical step as Australia aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
2. Federal Approval Came With a Conservation Catch
The federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water granted approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, but imposed mandatory conditions to protect the Delma impar, a small legless lizard endemic to the grassy woodlands of the region. The lizard is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act, and its habitat overlaps with the proposed battery site. Key conditions include:
- Establishing a 50-metre no-go buffer zone around known lizard burrows and foraging areas.
- Conducting pre-construction surveys to locate and relocate individuals if necessary.
- Implementing a long-term monitoring program for at least five years after construction.
3. The Legless Lizard Is a Relic of Ancient Ecosystems
The Delma impar, also known as the striped legless lizard, is a fascinating creature. It lacks limbs but is not a snake—it's actually a gecko relative that evolved to wriggle through grasses and leaf litter. Up to 30 cm long, it spends most of its life underground, emerging to feed on insects and small invertebrates. Its habitat has been fragmented by agriculture and urban development, making the battery site a crucial pocket of native grassland. Conservationists had lobbied hard for protections, arguing that even minor disturbances could push the species closer to extinction.
4. Conditions Could Affect Construction Timelines and Costs
While AGL welcomed the approval, the lizard-related conditions may add complexity. Surveys must be timed during the lizard's active season (spring to autumn) and involve experts using pitfall traps and visual searches. If lizards are found, relocating them to approved offset areas could take weeks. AGL will also need to avoid heavy machinery in sensitive zones during wet conditions when burrows are fragile. The company has not disclosed additional costs, but similar conservation measures on other projects have added up to 10% to construction budgets.
5. This Is a Template for Future 'Coal Country' Renewables
The approval sets a precedent for other big battery and solar projects planned in Australia's coal heartlands. Environmental groups will likely point to the legless lizard case as proof that biodiversity protections are non-negotiable, even for clean energy infrastructure. AGL, for its part, has said it is committed to minimising its environmental footprint and hopes to complete the battery by 2026. If successful, the project could serve as a model for balancing renewable energy deployment with the conservation of unique, at-risk species.
In summary, AGL's big battery approval is a double-edged sword: it accelerates the shift to clean energy but also underscores the importance of protecting Australia's fragile ecosystems. The legless lizard, while small, has become a powerful symbol of the trade-offs and responsibilities that come with building a renewable future.