Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NRGV) has begun construction on a 200 MW/2 hour battery energy storage system (BESS) at ACEN Australia’s New England Solar project near Uralla, New South Wales.
This marks Energy Vault’s first BESS deployment in the Australian market and represents a significant milestone for the company’s expansion in the region.
The project, which is the first of two planned Energy Vault deployments at the 720 MW New England Solar site, will be the first large-scale BESS of its kind in the New England Region of New South Wales.
Once operational, the system will play a crucial role in storing and dispatching renewable energy during peak consumption hours, helping to meet high demand and reduce reliance on coal-fired power generation.
A welcome ceremony was held on-site to commemorate the start of construction, attended by Energy Vault and ACEN Australia representatives, local officials, and Anaiwan First Nations leaders.
The event featured remarks from key figures, including Energy Vault CEO & Chairman Robert Piconi and ACEN Australia’s Head of Construction and Engineering, Tim Greenaway.
Tim Greenaway highlighted the significance of the project, stating: “This is the first large-scale battery storage project to be built in New England, so this is a great milestone for the region and the National Electricity Market.”
He also noted that geotechnical and design work is nearly complete, with electrical infrastructure installation well underway.
The BESS deployment will utilise Energy Vault’s B-VAULT suite of integrated battery energy storage solutions, coupled with advanced inverter technology for enhanced grid support functionalities.
The project is being constructed with support from the NSW government’s Emerging Energy Program, underscoring its importance in the state’s renewable energy transition.
As construction progresses, the New England Solar project continues to demonstrate ACEN Australia’s commitment to the region, with plans for a total of 720 MW of solar capacity and additional battery storage.
The project is expected to power approximately 300,000 average Australian homes annually and offset more than four million tonnes of CO2 emissions over 25 years.
This development represents a significant step forward in Australia’s renewable energy landscape, showcasing the growing importance of large-scale energy storage in supporting the integration of renewable sources into the national grid.
