AMPYR Australia has announced the financial close of its 300 MW / 600 MWh Wellington Stage 1 battery energy storage system (BESS) project in regional New South Wales, marking a major milestone in Australia’s energy transition.
The project, expected to be energised in 2026, will enhance the reliability of renewable energy supply and reduce energy costs for future industries across the country.
The Wellington Stage 1 BESS is a critical step forward in expanding Australia’s energy storage capacity.
AMPYR aims to deliver over 6 GWh of energy storage projects by 2030, including Stage 1 and an additional 100 MW / 400 MWh Stage 2 expansion, providing a total of 1 GWh storage capacity in the region by 2027.
A 10-year virtual offtake agreement has been signed with ZEN Energy Retail Pty Ltd for 150 MW of the Stage 1 capacity, offering flexibility in contracting while enabling ZEN to strengthen its portfolio of sustainability-focused customers.
Fluence Energy, Inc. will deliver the Wellington Stage 1 BESS using its advanced Gridstack™ technology.
Fluence will also provide a 20-year operational service contract, with performance and revenue optimisation managed by its Mosaic AI-powered software and Nispera asset management system. Lumea will connect the BESS to Transgrid’s 330 kV network.
The project is financed with over $340 million, supported by a consortium of lenders including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Bank of China, HSBC, Rabobank, Société Générale, and United Overseas Bank.
AMPYR Australia is backed by AGP, a Singapore-based global investor in sustainable real assets.
An important aspect of the project is AMPYR’s partnership with the local Aboriginal community in Wellington, offering opportunities for direct investment alongside AMPYR, underscoring the commitment to respectful and empowering Indigenous engagement.
AMPYR Australia CEO Alex Wonhas said: “Reaching the financial close of our first grid-scale BESS project in Australia marks a significant milestone in the acceleration of Australia’s energy transition.
“Supported by our high-calibre partners, ZEN Energy and Fluence, the Wellington Stage 1 BESS will play a critical role in an increasingly renewable grid whilst boosting Australia’s energy storage capacity and supporting the delivery of low-cost energy to major users.”
ZEN Energy CEO Anthony Garnaut added: “Virtual tolling agreements signal a maturing of the renewable energy transition and deliver shared value for ZEN Energy and AMPYR.
“This is the first battery we have contracted in New South Wales, and our share of Wellington Stage 1 is big enough to double the size of the customer volume we serve.”
Fluence APAC SVP & President Jan Teichmann remarked: “We are thrilled to be partnering with AMPYR on the Wellington Stage 1 BESS, marking another step forward in strengthening Australia’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.
“The full suite of Fluence’s innovative storage products and operational services will allow AMPYR to extract the most value out of the Wellington Stage 1 BESS.”
Brad Hopkins, Partner at AGP, commented: “AGP is a sponsor of high-growth infrastructure platforms and is committed to investing in Australia’s energy transition.
“We will be engaging with our capital partners to fund the growth of the business through the remainder of 2025.”
The Wellington BESS project will begin construction in August 2025, with initial energisation planned for mid-2026 and full operational capacity expected by early 2027.
This project will connect to the National Electricity Market via the Wellington 330 kV substation and will provide crucial grid balancing and system services to support the integration of renewable energy across Australia.
