Ark Energy has obtained regulatory approval to connect its hybrid Richmond Valley solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) project to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
The massive renewable energy project in northern New South Wales has received approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and transmission network service provider Transgrid to connect to the local 330 kV network through a new, purpose-built Richmond Valley Switching Station.
The project secured its 5.3.4.A/B letters, confirming it meets stringent Generator Performance Standards.
The grid approval follows exhaustive technical scrutiny, involving power system modelling, design tweaks, and hundreds of simulations to ensure network stability.
Positioned as an industry-leading initiative, the Richmond Valley development will be one of the first hybrid solar and BESS projects in the NEM to feature a single point of connection, utilising advanced grid-forming inverter technology to support grid reliability.
Ark Energy CEO, Michael Choi, said: “We are thrilled to secure grid connection for the Richmond Valley Solar Farm and BESS.
“This is a huge achievement and takes us closer to reaching financial close on the project, and our goal of breaking ground in the coming months.
“This is a flagship project for Ark Energy and once operational it will make a significant contribution to electricity supply and grid stability for NSW and the NEM.”
Construction is slated to kick off later this year. The initial stage of the development will feature a 200-megawatt solar farm coupled with a massive, long-duration 275-megawatt / 2,200-megawatt-hour Lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery system.
Ark Energy, which specialises in utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage, continues to expand its green energy footprint with similar projects currently under development across NSW, Queensland, and Tasmania.