Ark Energy has named the supplier for its Richmond Valley solar and BESS (battery energy storage system) project south of Casino in New South Wales – set to become one of the largest storage projects in the state upon completion.
The new contract, signed with Hanwha Energy on 12 March 2025, will see the manufacture, delivery and installation of a lithium iron phosphate battery with a power capacity of 275MW and energy storage capacity of up to 2200MWh over eight hours.
Under the contract, Hanwha Energy will provide Ark Energy with a complete BESS solution, including batteries and inverters, along with commissioning services.
Ark Energy said the signing of the contract is a key milestone for the Richmond Valley project, which was awarded a long-term energy service agreement (LTESA) in 2023 under the New South Wales Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap’s incentive scheme.
Ark Energy conducted a rigorous and competitive bidding process over a year to select a BESS supplier for the project and identified Hanwha Energy as the preferred bidder in November 2024.
The BESS is due to be delivered in 2026 and Ark Energy aims for the project to commence commercial operations by 2027.
It is expected to be one of the largest energy storage projects in New South Wales, and will support the electricity needs of New South Wales consumers and enhance grid stability of the state’s energy network.
