The commissioning of the Limondale Battery Energy Storage System, Australia’s first operational eight-hour battery promises to be a significant milestone in NSW’s renewable energy transition.
Located near Balranald in south-west NSW, the 50MW/400MWh Limondale BESS will strengthen grid reliability by storing excess solar generation during the day and dispatching electricity during periods of peak demand.
NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe, said the project would help increase the amount of renewable energy available to the grid while supporting more affordable electricity.
“It’s exciting to cut the ribbon on this Australian-first battery, which will get more renewable energy into the grid, placing downward pressure on bills,” Sharpe said.
“Batteries like this one mean we don’t waste an electron of solar and can power the state with renewables.”
The Limondale BESS was the first project awarded a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement for long-duration storage under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
Developed by RWE Renewables Australia, with support from Tesla, Beon Energy Solutions, Lumea and Transgrid, the project features 144 Tesla Megapacks and is co-located with the 314MW Limondale Solar Farm, allowing it to connect to existing infrastructure.
The battery’s 100MW charging capacity and 50MW discharge capacity enable it to deliver electricity continuously for more than eight hours, making it the longest-duration battery currently operating in Australia.
RWE Renewables Australia CEO, Daniel Belton, said the project represented a major advancement for long-duration energy storage in Australia.
“We are incredibly proud to deliver the Limondale BESS,” Belton said. “As one of Australia’s most significant battery storage projects, it represents a major step forward for long-duration energy storage and contributes to a more reliable, resilient and sustainable energy system.”
