Global energy storage owner-operator BW ESS has acquired the ready-to-build Yanco battery energy storage system (Yanco BESS) in the Riverina region of New South Wales from Australian developer ACEnergy.
BW ESS will oversee the construction and long-term operation of the 250MW / 1,000MWh facility, which connects to the Yanco 132kV substation.
Designed to deliver firming capacity, energy arbitrage, and grid security services to the National Electricity Market (NEM), the big battery will be capable of powering approximately 430,000 homes for up to four hours once operational.
ACEnergy progressed the project through origination, securing land, planning approvals, grid connection rights, and commercial contracts. Yanco BESS marks the fifth large-scale battery development by ACEnergy to reach financial close.
Global battery manufacturing giant CATL has been selected as the project’s system integrator, while ACLE Services will serve as the Balance of Plant contractor. Both companies will also provide long-term operations and maintenance services.
Construction on site is scheduled to begin later this year, with commercial operations targeted for 2028. The project’s revenue model is supported by a capacity swap agreement that ensures long-term contracted cash flows.
BW ESS Executive Director Andy Hadland said the acquisition aligns with the company’s focus on supporting Australia’s energy transition.
“Australia’s investment in a more flexible and reliable power system creates a compelling role for battery storage, and we are delighted to support that transition through Yanco BESS,” Hadland said.
ACEnergy Managing Director Raymond Wang described the financial close as a significant endorsement of their development platform, noting that BW ESS possesses the resources and track record to realise the asset’s full potential.
BW ESS has also committed to honouring all existing community agreements, including a AU$3 million Voluntary Planning Agreement with the Leeton Shire Council, alongside prioritising local employment and procurement opportunities throughout the construction phase.
The acquisition adds to BW ESS’s growing Australian pipeline, which includes 1.3GWh of assets, 1GWh entering construction, and a greenfield pipeline totalling around 2GW across the National Electricity Market.