Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions provider in the Asia Pacific region, has achieved a significant milestone in Australia’s renewable energy sector with the commissioning of the Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid Project.
The project, located 90 kilometres southeast of Adelaide, represents the largest utility-scale hybrid renewable facility with a single connection to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
The final component of the project, a 41.5 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), has been successfully commissioned, complementing the existing 87 MW solar farm.
This brings the total capacity of the Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid Project to 128.5 MW.
The project’s innovative design allows for independent operation of the solar and battery components while sharing a single grid connection, a groundbreaking feature for utility-scale renewable energy projects in Australia.
Owen Sela, Head of Australia at Vena Energy, emphasised the project’s operational flexibility, stating: “Our system enables simultaneous export of solar power to the grid and independent operation of the battery for energy export or storage.
“By optimising existing grid infrastructure, we are enabling renewable energy to be dispatched when needed, delivering cost-effective power to South Australia.”
The Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid Project is capable of powering over 38,000 homes annually and is expected to avoid nearly 222,800 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
The solar farm’s efficiency is enhanced by advanced technologies, including bi-facial solar panels mounted on tracking systems that capture both direct and reflected sunlight.
The project has demonstrated strong local engagement, with approximately 50 per cent of the solar farm’s workforce sourced from the local region, including Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge, and surrounding areas.
An additional 35 per cent of workers came from within South Australia during peak construction periods.
The project also achieved notable diversity outcomes, with 10 per cent of workers identifying as First Nations and 14 per cent being female.
The Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid Project expands Vena Energy’s renewable energy generation capacity at Tailem Bend, complementing the adjacent 95 MW Tailem Bend 1 Solar Farm, which began operations in early 2019.
Together, the two solar projects deliver a combined capacity of 182 MW, increasing to 223.5 MW with the integration of battery storage at Tailem Bend 2.
Vena Energy has also secured approval for an additional BESS at Tailem Bend, which will enable up to 204 MW / 408 MWh of renewable energy storage sourced directly from the grid.
This expansion further demonstrates Vena Energy’s commitment to strengthening energy resilience and advancing South Australia’s 2030 emission reduction goal and Australia’s 2050 net-zero target.
The successful commissioning of the Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid Project marks a significant step forward in Australia’s transition to renewable energy, showcasing the potential of integrated solar and battery storage solutions in creating a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
