German renewables developer RWE says it will build Australia’s first eight-hour battery near Balranald, in New South Wales, next to its 249MWac Limondale Solar Farm project.
RWE’s eight-hour lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) was the only successful project in New South Wales’ first Long Duration Storage Long-Term Energy Service Agreements tender process, and was awarded a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement.
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With a planned capacity of more than 50MW and 400MWh, the Limondale BESS will support the energy transition by storing excess renewable energy and feeding it into the NSW grid when it is needed most. The project will be located next to RWE’s 249MWac Limondale Solar Farm—one of Australia’s largest. The BESS will connect to existing grid infrastructure.
Tesla has been selected as the BESS supplier, and Beon Energy Solutions as the delivery partner for the Balance of Plant, which includes the civil, structural, electrical and control works required to connect the Megapack to the existing 33kV substation. Construction is scheduled to start in the second half of this year, with commissioning planned for late 2025.
RWE Renewables Europe & Australia CEO Katja Wünschel said, “RWE’s investment decision and signing of supplier contracts for the Limondale BESS project is an exciting step forward in our commitment to the Australian renewables sector and support of New South Wales’ renewable energy ambitions.
“As a battery storage pioneer, RWE develops, builds and operates innovative and competitive battery storage systems in Europe and the US, and soon here in Australia. We look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders to help realise the country’s renewable energy goals.”
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Australia is one of RWE’s focus markets, where it has been present since 2013. In 2018, the company began construction of the Limondale Solar Farm in Balranald, New South Wales. With an installed capacity of 249MWac the large-scale solar farm is made up of 872,000 panels and generates enough electricity to power about 105,000 homes per year.
