Neoen Australia has announced the start of construction on a major new battery storage project at its Culcairn Solar Farm in New South Wales, marking a significant expansion of the company’s renewable energy footprint in the state.
The new asset will have a capacity of 215 MW and 963 MWh of storage, positioning it as one of the more substantial battery projects underway in the region.
Once operational, the battery is expected to play an important role in supporting grid stability within the national electricity market, an increasingly critical function as more renewable generation is integrated into Australia’s energy system.
Construction of the battery will be carried out in partnership with NHOA Energy, alongside a joint venture between Equans Solar & Storage and Bouygues Construction Australia. The project is expected to become operational in 2028.
With this addition, Neoen’s total contribution of renewable energy and storage capacity across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory will surpass 1 GW, underscoring the company’s growing presence in the region’s clean energy sector.
A distinguishing feature of the Culcairn project is that it will be Neoen’s first behind-the-meter battery co-located at a solar farm.
This configuration allows the battery to draw and store energy directly from the adjacent solar generation, an approach that can improve efficiency and provide additional flexibility in how stored energy is managed and dispatched.
The project is also expected to contribute to the New South Wales Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, a policy framework designed to guide the state’s transition toward affordable, clean and reliable energy.
By adding dispatchable storage capacity to the grid, the Culcairn battery is intended to help smooth out fluctuations in renewable energy supply and support broader efforts to modernise the state’s electricity infrastructure.
Beyond its technical and grid-related benefits, Neoen has indicated that the project will also aim to deliver value to local communities in the Riverina region, including First Nations communities.
While specific community initiatives have not yet been detailed, the company has emphasised its commitment to ensuring the benefits of the project extend beyond energy generation and storage alone.
Neoen has attributed its ability to deliver this new type of asset to the technical expertise of its workforce and the strength of its relationships across the industry and project community.
The company has described the milestone as an opportunity to explore new possibilities as it continues to support customers, communities and the broader energy market during Australia’s ongoing transition to cleaner energy sources.
The Culcairn battery adds to a growing list of large-scale storage projects in New South Wales as the state works to balance increasing renewable generation with the need for reliable, dispatchable power.
With construction now underway, the project represents another step in Neoen’s broader strategy to expand its integrated renewable energy and storage portfolio across the region.
Further details on the project’s construction timeline and community engagement plans are expected to be released as work progresses toward the anticipated 2028 completion date.
