ACEN Corp. subsidiary ACEN Australia has secured the New South Wales (NSW) government’s approval to increase the size of its New England solar battery energy storage system (BESS) to 2,800 megawatt hours (MWh).
The project was earlier approved for only 200 MWh, its maximum capacity capable of supplying 175,000 homes with on-demand energy.
“The state’s ageing coal fired generators are due to close over the next 20 years. Large battery energy storage systems like these are critical in replacing that capacity with on-demand energy. The New England Solar battery storage can charge using excess power generated from solar and wind and discharge that energy when required. It will be a reliable, cheaper, and greener form of energy generation for NSW,” said Anton Rohner, ACEN Australia chief executive officer.
ACEN said the additional storage capacity will allow the project to increase its energy storage potential as well as provide additional firming and greater network system support that in turn will result in a more stable NSW electricity network.
The company added the decision to expand the BESS’ capacity was also influenced by ACEN Australia’s approval for a 20-year energy service agreement for the New England solar project, as part of the NSW government’s first renewable energy and storage auction.
Aside from the BESS segment, ACEN’s New England Solar project also has a solar generation part with total capacity of 720 megawatts (MW). The first 400 MW of the project was completed in March.
Apart from the Philippines and Australia, ACEN also has operations in Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Lao PDR and the United States.
The entire ACEN group has more than 2,400 MW of projects under construction as it aspires to own 20,000 MW worth of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
