ACEN Australia and Energy Vault have commenced construction on a 200 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at the New England Solar project in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, marking the first large-scale battery installation in the region. The project is a significant milestone in Australia’s renewable energy transition, providing grid stability, network security, and enhanced energy storage to support the growing share of solar and wind power in the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Located within ACEN Australia’s 936 MWdc (720 MWac) New England Solar project, the 200 MW/400 MWh battery system is the first of two planned energy storage projects at the site. The lithium-ion-based storage system, equipped with advanced grid-forming inverters, will allow stored solar energy to be dispatched on demand, ensuring a reliable and flexible power supply for customers in NSW and Queensland.
The New England Battery Project is designed to improve the reliability of the region’s power grid, particularly as renewable energy capacity increases. With solar and wind projects expanding across Australia, energy storage solutions are crucial to balancing supply and demand, reducing curtailment of excess renewable energy, and maintaining grid stability.
ACEN Australia’s Head of Construction and Engineering, Tim Greenaway, highlighted the project’s importance, stating: “This is the first large-scale battery storage project to be built in New England, so this is a great milestone for the region and the National Electricity Market.”
Greenaway also noted that geotechnical and design work is nearly complete, with electrical infrastructure installation already underway. The next phase will see the start of civil and base electrical work within the next two months, ahead of the delivery of battery modules in the second half of 2025.
Energy Vault, a global energy storage leader, is overseeing the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the battery system, marking its first large-scale battery project in Australia. The battery technology will integrate advanced inverters, capable of delivering essential grid support services, such as: voltage and frequency ride-through to ensure stability during grid disturbances; dynamic grid support, enabling better integration of intermittent renewable energy sources; and reactive power control to optimize power flow across the network.
Energy Vault Vice President of Sales Asia, Lucas Sadler, emphasized the growing importance of battery storage in Australia’s energy transition: “There’s a lot of attention worldwide on the battery storage market in Australia, and so we’re very happy to be making a positive contribution here on such an important project.”
The New England Battery will play a critical role in the success of renewable energy in NSW, supporting solar and wind power integration, grid reliability, and sustainable energy access.
To accommodate the battery storage project, an expanded switching yard is being constructed to connect the battery system and the second phase of the New England Solar project to Transgrid’s transmission network.
The civil works for the switching yard have been completed, with the final commissioning expected by mid-2025. Additionally, a 250 MVA electrical transformer, weighing 261 tonnes, is scheduled for delivery next month. High-voltage connection specialist EPEC is managing the installation and commissioning of the transformer, ensuring seamless integration into the power grid.
The battery system is being co-located with the first stage of the New England Solar project, completed in 2023. The second stage of the solar farm, which will add another 416 MWdc (320 MWac) capacity, is set to begin construction in 2026.
The 200 MW battery project is just the beginning for the New England Solar project. The site has received approval for up to 1,400 MW/2 hours of storage capacity, allowing for future expansion of battery storage to provide additional energy security and ancillary services to the Australian power grid.
By integrating large-scale battery storage, ACEN Australia is reinforcing its commitment to developing a flexible and resilient renewable energy network, supporting the country’s net-zero targets and ensuring that clean power remains available 24/7.
ACEN Australia has become a major player in Australia’s renewable energy market, with more than 1 GW of large-scale renewable energy capacity in construction and operations, and a development pipeline exceeding 13 GW.
The company’s portfolio includes:
- New England Solar (Stage 1) in NSW – First operational project in Australia, generating since 2023.
- Stubbo Solar in NSW Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone – Currently being commissioned, expected to be fully operational by mid-2025.
- Future projects in solar, wind, battery storage, and pumped hydro across Australia.
How do you think large-scale battery storage will impact Australia’s transition to renewable energy? Should more solar and wind projects integrate battery storage systems to improve grid stability? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow Power Philippines for the latest updates on energy storage developments!
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