Batteries 'cheaper' than gas plants as data centres fuel turbine costs
Batteries 'cheaper' than gas plants as data centres fuel turbine costs
By energy reporter Daniel Mercer and climate editor Tim Leslie
Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 4:40amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 4:40am
Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 4:40am
Gas has long been the traditional peaking fuel in Australia, but times are changing. (ABC News: Chris Lewis)
In short:
Australia's top science agency has found batteries are now cheaper at supplying peak demand for power than gas.
The CSIRO's annual GenCost report notes insatiable demand for gas-fired power from US data centres is driving up turbine costs.
At the same time, the agency says battery costs are falling, thanks largely to increasing Chinese production.