Ark Energy has been granted planning approval from the NSW Government for its Richmond Valley Solar & Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in northern New South Wales.
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In development since 2019 the hybrid project consists of a solar farm and a long-duration Lithium-iron phosphate BESS.
With a capacity of 435MW, the Richmond Valley Solar Farm includes a 475MW/3,148MWh BESS that stores solar energy for dispatch to the electricity grid outside of daylight hours and during peak demand.
Ark Energy CEO Michael Choi said, “The Richmond Valley Solar & BESS site is in an excellent location, and the project will play an important role in supporting the state’s energy transition.
“We thank all those involved in supporting Ark Energy to reach this exciting milestone, including members of the local community for their input throughout the assessment process. We look forward to continuing to work with the project’s stakeholders over the next phase.”
Listed on the Australian Government’s National Priority List, the Richmond Valley Solar & BESS project is Ark Energy’s second project in NSW to receive planning approval, following approval by the NSW Independent Planning Commission in February 2024 for Stage 1 of the Bowmans Creek Wind Farm, to be located within the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone.
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Ark Energy now awaits a final decision on the project from DCCEEW.
