Completion of Grid Battery Nears Next to Australia’s Largest Solar Farm
A utility-scale battery adjacent to Australia’s largest solar installation is nearing its completion, and is already operating at near-full capacity as it finalises the necessary grid approvals.
The New England battery, boasting a capacity of 200 megawatts (MW) and 400 megawatt hours (MWh), is being developed beside the New England solar farm, which has successfully launched its first 400 MW stage and is currently progressing with its second stage, adding 320 MW. This development will secure its position as the largest solar farm in the country—at least for the time being.
Battery Operations and Progress
Acen Renewables, the Philippines-based owner of the New England project, announced in its second-quarter earnings report that the battery is anticipated to achieve full “operationalisation” by the year’s end. Meanwhile, Energy Vault, the US-based developer of the project, provided more insights in their recent earnings report, stating that they are close to finalising their R2 assessment, a crucial step which involves post-commissioning model validation and testing for new power generators or significant loads connecting to the power grid.
Energy Vault’s CEO, Robert Piconi, shared his thoughts during the analysts’ call, noting, “We’re in the process of finalising the turnover and the R2 assessment, which signifies that we have formally received approval from the grid.”
Future Projects and Developments
This approval represents a significant milestone for Energy Vault, as it will empower them to bid on larger projects within the Australian market. The company is also in the midst of developing the 125 MW, 1,000 MWh Stoney Creek battery located near Narrabri, and has another joint venture, the 100 MW, 870 MWh Ebor battery, also within the New England area, currently pursuing planning approvals.
In parallel, Acen Australia has reported growth in generation, revenue, and profits during the first half of the year, attributing this success to the full contributions from the newly completed 400 MW Stubbo solar farm, alongside reduced grid curtailment affecting the New England solar farm. Specifically, generation has surged by 56 per cent to 862 gigawatt hours (GWh), while attributable revenues have increased by 59 per cent to P2.2 billion, with EBITDA showing a growth of 35 per cent to ₱1.2 billion.
Ongoing Initiatives and Future Plans
Acen is also advancing the 102 MW dc Jinbi solar project in Western Australia, which is slated for completion in late 2028, following its commencement this quarter. Additionally, the company has an extensive pipeline of upcoming projects, including the Valley of the Winds and Robbins Island initiatives, which have yet to secure financial closure or begin construction.
