PLUS Grid Storage has officially turned the first sod at the site of the Steel River East Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Newcastle.
The ceremony signals the start of construction on PLUS Grid Storage’s first grid-scale battery project and marks the beginning of an ambitious program to deliver battery storage projects across New South Wales.
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Located within the Steel River Industrial Estate, the Steel River East BESS will play a critical role in supporting a cleaner, more reliable and resilient electricity network by storing energy when demand is low and dispatching it back to the grid when it is needed most.
PLUS Grid Storage executive Kelly Wood said the sod turn represented a significant milestone for the business as it advances its vision to accelerate Australia’s energy transition.
“Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter for PLUS Grid Storage. Steel River East is the first of several battery projects in our development pipeline and demonstrates our commitment to investing in the infrastructure needed to support Australia’s evolving energy system,” she said.
“Battery storage is becoming increasingly important as more renewable energy enters the grid. Projects like Steel River East will help improve reliability, support energy security and create long-term value for the communities we serve.”
The scale of construction highlights the significance of the project. Once complete, Steel River East will feature 112 Tesla Megapack 2XL battery units. To support the battery installation, approximately 2,200 cubic metres of concrete will be poured and more than 200 tonnes of reinforcing steel will be used throughout construction.
The project is being delivered in partnership with SCEE Group subsidiary SCEE Electrical, a leading and trusted national provider of specialised electrical, instrumentation, maintenance and communications services.
The Steel River East BESS project is being supported by the NSW Government’s Energy Security Corporation as part of its $100 million investment in PLUS Grid Storage’s battery platform across Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter Central Coast.
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The Steel River East BESS is expected to be operational in late 2027.
