The Limondale battery energy storage system in New South Wales has officially commenced full operations, marking a milestone as Australia’s first eight-hour duration battery. Developed by RWE, the 50 MW / 400 MWh facility utilizes 144 Tesla Megapack units to bolster grid stability and energy security. Located within the South-West Renewable Energy Zone, the project integrates directly with the existing infrastructure of the 314 MW Limondale solar farm. This strategic deployment supports the state’s energy roadmap, providing a reliable, long-duration storage solution that enhances the efficiency and resilience of the national power network.
The project is situated in the Murray region, approximately 850 kilometers southwest of Sydney. It was constructed through a collaborative effort involving Tesla, Beon Energy Solutions, Lumea, and Transgrid. By connecting to the grid via the solar farm’s existing 33 kV substation, the developers minimized the requirement for additional infrastructure. The site’s capacity to charge at 100 MW and discharge at 50 MW allows for a flexible response to market demands, effectively managing the output from the 872,000 solar panels installed across the 770-hectare site.
Sopna Sury, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe and Australia, noted that the facility represents a significant advancement in long-duration storage technology. The project was specifically sized to meet the requirements of the New South Wales government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. It holds the distinction of being the first facility to secure a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement for long-duration storage following a tender process managed by an AEMO subsidiary. RWE continues to expand its global footprint, currently managing 1.7 GW of battery storage capacity with another 2.5 GW currently under development.