ContourGlobal plans Austria’s largest battery storage facility in Molln

Austria’s largest battery storage facility is planned for Molln, with a capacity of 1,200 megawatt-hours, ORF Upper Austria reports. The project is being developed by US company ContourGlobal.

The facility would have an output of 300 megawatts and occupy a roughly three-hectare plot owned by Molln construction entrepreneur Kurt Bernegger. Its capacity would be enough, in theory, to supply about 100,000 households with electricity for one day. The project is expected to cost around 200 million euros or more.

Bernegger told ORF Upper Austria that the facility is not expected to be completed until 2029. He cited the extensive technical preparations and grid connection work, as well as long delivery times for the required transformers.

A second battery storage project is planned in Steeg, near Bad Goisern in Gmunden district. Graphite electrode manufacturer Resonac and energy company Powerlink plan to invest around 19 million euros in the facility. Its capacity would be about 15 times smaller than Molln’s, but existing power lines, transformers and a grid connection could reduce the need for additional construction and costs.

Both projects are intended to help balance electricity supply and demand. They would store surplus power, such as solar energy generated at midday, and release it later when demand is higher, helping to smooth fluctuations in the electricity grid.