Vena Energy has reached financial close for the Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid Project, its first combined solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project in South Australia.

The project is the company’s first operational system to aggregate solar generation and battery storage, following its success of the first stage of the Tailem Bend Solar Project which has been operational since 2019.

Upon completion, the project will have a capacity of 128.5 MW derived from the 87 MW solar project and the 41.5 MW BESS. The solar project will be capable of supplying approximately 35,000 homes with clean energy annually, reducing more than 207,000 tonnes of CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, or the equivalent of planting more than 3.4 million trees.

Mr Owen Sela, Head of Vena Energy Australia said their mission is to accelerate the energy transition across the Asia-Pacific region, and the Tailem Bend BESS is an example of this shift.

“In Australia we have around 5 GW of renewable energy projects in the pipeline, accommodating the demand for clean, reliable energy sources. There has been a needed shift to green energy in recent years, and we are committed to work alongside our local communities and stakeholders to deliver affordable and clean electricity to our customers.”

Vena Energy has appointed UGL Limited as its engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor who will deliver the second stage of the solar project, and Doosan GridTech as the head contractor for the BESS.

Construction of the solar project commenced in April 2022, and the BESS project will commence later in the year.

The hybrid project will employ up to 200 staff during construction, with a keen focus on encouraging local employment outcomes.