RWE will build Australia’s first eight-hour battery

Leading global renewable energy player RWE today announced its investment decision to build Australia’s first eight-hour battery near Balranald, New South Wales (NSW). RWE’s eight-hour lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) was the only successful project in the first long-term energy services contract tender process in New South Wales and was awarded a long-term energy services contract.

With a planned capacity of over 50 megawatts (MW) and over 400 megawatt hours (MWh), the Limondale BESS plant 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 249 MWac Limondale solar farm, which is one of the largest in Australia. BESS will connect to the existing network infrastructure.

Tesla has been selected as the BESS supplier and Beon Energy Solutions as the Balance of Plant delivery partner, which includes the civil, structural, electrical and inspection works required to connect Megapack to the existing 33 kV substation. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of this year, and it will be commissioned at the end of 2025.

Katja Wünschel, CEO of RWE Renewables for Europe and Australia: “RWE’s investment decision and signing of supplier agreements for the Limondale BESS project is an exciting step forward in our commitment to Australia’s renewables sector and support of New South Wales’ renewable energy ambitions. As a pioneer in battery storage, RWE develops, builds and operates innovative and competitive battery storage systems in Europe and the USA, and soon also in Australia. We look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders to help realize the country’s renewable energy goals.”

RWE in Australia

One of RWE’s target markets is Australia, where it has been present since 2013. In 2018, the company began construction of the Limondale solar farm in Balranald, New South Wales. The large-scale solar farm with an installed capacity of 249 MWac consists of 872,000 panels and produces enough electricity to power approximately 105,000 homes per year.
Full commercial operations commenced in 2021. RWE’s over 70-strong Australian team is currently developing a portfolio of wind, solar and battery projects across the country, with support from RWE’s global team. RWE intends to develop renewable energy projects in Australia with a capacity of up to 3 gigawatts by 2030.

RWE invests in battery storage around the world

As a driving force in the energy transition, RWE develops, builds and operates battery energy storage systems in Europe, the United States and Australia. The company currently operates battery storage systems with a total capacity of over 700 MW and 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of battery storage projects under construction around the world. The company recently commissioned three battery storage projects in the US with a total capacity of 190 MW. As part of its Growing Green strategy, RWE plans to increase its battery capacity worldwide to 6 GW by 2030.

Photos of the RWE Limondale photovoltaic farm for media use are available in the RWE Media Center. Source: RWE.