ACEN Australia has announced the commencement of construction on its pioneering large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) in the New England region of New South Wales. This marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to delivering reliable and sustainable energy solutions.
The 400 megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS, located within ACEN’s 720 megawatt (MW) New England Solar project, will feature advanced grid-forming inverters, enhancing system strength, stability, and network security. This integration underscores ACEN’s focus on cutting-edge technology to optimize grid performance.
“Geotechnical and design work is nearing completion, and the installation of essential electrical infrastructure is progressing smoothly,” said Tim Greenaway, ACEN Australia Head of Construction and Engineering. “We anticipate commencing civil and base electrical work for the BESS within the next two months, paving the way for battery module delivery in the latter half of the year.”
The project includes an expanded switching yard to connect the BESS and the second phase of the solar project to Transgrid’s transmission network. A 250 MVA electrical transformer will provide dedicated support for the battery system.
Co-located with the Stage 1 solar project, the 400 MWh battery will deliver 200 MW of energy over a two-hour period. The project has received approvals for a total storage capacity of 1,400 MW/2 hours, positioning ACEN for future expansion and contributions to grid stability. This initiative reinforces ACEN’s leadership in the Australian renewable energy market and demonstrates its commitment to a cleaner energy future.
