Acen Australia has commenced construction of a 200MW/400MWh battery energy storage system at the 720MW New England site in New South Wales. This system, supplied by Energy Vault, will utilize advanced grid-forming inverters to enhance system strength, stability, and network security.
To connect the BESS and the second phase of the solar energy project to Transgrid’s transmission network, Acen will expand a switching yard. The New England solar photovoltaic (PV) plant began operations in March 2023, comprising two phases: the first phase includes a 400MW PV plant, which is now operational, while the second phase will add 320MW, expected to be online by 2026. This project supplies energy under a power purchase agreement signed in July 2024 with Asahi Beverages and BaptistCare.
Acen has received approval for a total of 1,400MW/2,800MWh of energy storage for the project, with the 400MWh BESS co-located at the first phase of the New England solar PV plant. Lumea, the commercial arm of Transgrid, is overseeing the BESS connection, with final commissioning anticipated by mid-2026. Lumea is also involved in grid works for the 1.6GWh Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub BESS in Victoria.
First Large-Scale Battery Project Supported by NSW’s Emerging Energy Program
Acen has announced that its battery energy storage system is the first large-scale battery project to commence construction with support from the New South Wales (NSW) government’s Emerging Energy Program. This program provides grant funding to facilitate the development of large-scale electricity and storage initiatives.
The program includes two funding streams to accelerate the development of on-demand electricity projects. The first stream, Capital Projects, focuses on activities that aid in the construction of dispatchable electricity projects. The second stream, Pre-Investment Studies, encompasses activities that lead to the development of such projects.
Robert Picon, CEO and Chairman of Energy Vault, stated that the New England BESS represents a significant milestone for Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).
“Our geotechnical and design work is nearly complete, and we are progressing with the installation of electrical infrastructure to connect the battery. We anticipate commencing civil and base electrical work for the BESS in the next month or two, in preparation for the delivery of battery modules in the latter half of the year,” Picon added.
Acen Advances Second Solar-Plus-Storage Project in New England
Acen is moving forward with a second solar-plus-storage project located within the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), adjacent to another proposal under development. The proposed 320MW Deeargee solar PV power plant will be situated 12 km southeast of Uralla and approximately 5 km south of the New England site.
This project will incorporate a battery energy storage system with a capacity of up to 1,400MWac for two-hour energy storage, with the option to configure it as 700MW for four-hour energy storage, as detailed in Acen’s application under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
The proposed site encompasses 1,544 hectares of land, primarily classified as freehold. Acen has confirmed that it has secured agreements with landholders for the development of the project.
