RWE has received official sign-off from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Transmission Network Service Provider Transgrid to operate Australia’s first eight hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at full capacity. The Limondale BESS comprises 144 Tesla Megapacks that are uniquely registered to charge at 100 megawatts (MW) and discharge at 50 megawatts (MW). The BESS will be able to deliver its registered maximum discharge output for more than eight hours. This corresponds to a storage capacity of at least 400 megawatt hours (MWh), making it the longest-duration battery currently operating in Australia.
Following commissioning of the Limondale BESS, the battery has successfully undergone grid compliance and performance tests, demonstrating the plant’s ability to safely operate at maximum capacity. Located adjacent to the RWE Limondale Solar Farm near Balranald in southern New South Wales, the battery helps reduce network pressures during peak demand, supporting a more flexible and secure electricity system.
Sopna Sury, CEO, RWE Renewables Europe & Australia: “We are extremely proud to deliver Limondale BESS. This groundbreaking project transforms battery storage in Australia, marking a significant milestone in the development of long-duration energy storage and enhancing the reliability and resilience of the national energy system. Limondale BESS helps strengthen grid stability, supports a secure energy supply and enables more efficient use of renewable energy. My sincere thanks go to our dedicated RWE team, our project partners, the New South Wales government, and AEMO for their strong collaboration in bringing the Limondale BESS safely to life.”
The project, which was sized at 8 hours in response to the New South Wales Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, was the first to receive a Long Duration Storage (LDS) Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) as part of the first tender undertaken by ASL (an AEMO subsidiary). This award underscored early investment in LDS projects, highlighting the project’s important role in supporting the state’s energy transition and integrating renewable energy sources. In addition to Tesla, RWE has partnered with Beon Energy Solutions, Lumea and Transgrid to deliver the project.
RWE Renewables Australia
Australia is one of RWE’s focus markets, where it has been present since 2013. In 2021, the company commissioned the Limondale Solar Farm in Balranald, New South Wales. The large-scale 314 MWac solar farm is made up of 872,000 panels and generates enough electricity to power about 105,000 homes per year. RWE’s Australian team is developing a portfolio of wind, solar, and battery storage projects across the country, supported by the global RWE team. RWE's Theodore Wind Farm in Queensland, which has a planned capacity of around 1 GW, has received Development Approval and is working through the federal EPBC process.
RWE develops, builds and operates battery storage systems in the US, Europe and Australia. The company currently operates battery storage systems with a total capacity of 1.7 gigawatts (GW), with a further approximately 2.5 GW under construction. As an integral part of its growth strategy, RWE plans to significantly expand its battery storage capacities worldwide.
Pictures of Limondale BESS (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre.