NEM’s Largest Battery and Solar Farm Development Plans
A development application has been lodged with the NSW planning department for what is set to become the largest battery on Australia’s main grid, accompanied by a substantial solar farm. Ark Energy, the local subsidiary of Korea Zinc focusing on renewable energy and storage, is spearheading the project to construct the 275-megawatt (MW) Richmond Valley battery with an impressive eight hours of storage capacity, equivalent to 2,200 megawatt hours (MWh). The proposed site for this ambitious project is near Myrtle Creek in the Richmond Valley region of northern NSW.
This battery installation is poised to be the largest within the National Electricity Market, second only in size across Australia to the 500 MW and 2240 MWh Collie battery currently under construction by Neoen in Collie, Western Australia. The Richmond Valley battery will be strategically located adjacent to the 500 MW Richmond Valley solar farm, occupying land previously utilised for grazing and a private forestry business, involving two landowners. Notably, this site does not fall within any of the state’s five designated renewable energy zones.
Optimal Location and Project Details
Ark Energy has highlighted the suitability of the chosen location for solar energy generation, emphasising the flat terrain and the historical use of the land for forestry purposes. The area boasts abundant solar resources and proximity to the transmission network, intersected by the Coffs Harbour to Lismore 330 kV powerline at the site’s north-west corner.
The estimated cost of the project stands at $1.2 billion, reflecting the declining costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and battery cells. The construction phase, which includes establishing a connection to the primary 330 kV transmission line, is anticipated to span two years, with the project’s operational lifespan projected at 30 years.
Government Support and Future Prospects
The Richmond Valley battery emerged as a significant beneficiary of the recent tender for long-duration storage conducted by the NSW government. This initiative aims to bolster the state’s energy capacity to replace ageing coal-fired power stations scheduled for decommissioning in the coming decade. Among the three eight-hour battery projects securing underwriting agreements from the NSW government, the Richmond Valley battery stands out as the largest, alongside the Limondale battery by RWE and the Goulburn River battery by Lightsource.
An upcoming public information session is scheduled for August 14 to provide further insights into the project and address any queries from stakeholders and the public.
Despite these promising developments, Ark Energy recently decided to halt plans for a 340 MW wind project near Tamworth in the New England region of NSW due to a change of heart by some of the project’s landowners. This decision follows the withdrawal of an application for the Wooroora wind farm in northern Queensland and the abandonment of the Western Plains wind project in north-west Tasmania, indicating a shifting focus in the company’s renewable energy portfolio.
Ark Energy’s commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions underscores the evolving landscape of Australia’s energy sector, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation.
