ENGIE has commenced development on its 200MW/400MWh Pelican Point BESS in South Australia, located adjacent to the company’s 489MW gas-fired power station.
The combination of the two aims to support more secure and affordable energy in the state, while underpinning a cleaner, more resilient grid.
The BESS is expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2027 and will hold capacity to store and discharge enough to power more than 29,400 average South Australian homes.
The pairing is further benefited by the fact that one of the power station’s units was recently converted to an open cycle turbine for faster start and ramp up.
ENGIE Australia managing director of renewables and batteries Laura Caspari said co-locating large batteries with existing or former thermal power sites would help accelerate Australia’s energy transition.
“Developing BESS projects at our sites leverages existing infrastructure, minimises environmental impacts, and ensures we can deliver reliable, flexible energy solutions at speed,” she said. “This supports the rapid integration of renewables and creates future-ready energy hubs.”
Caspari said the Pelican Point BESS project will have flow-on effects to the community.
“This project will create around 250 jobs during the construction phase and along with our retail customers, existing wind farms, thermal assets and new renewable energy developments, reinforces South Australia as a key state for ENGIE to operate in and grow our presence,” she said.
In early October, ENGIE and project partner Foresight Australia were selected as part of Tender 4 of the Federal Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), with support flowing to the 119MW Willogoleche 2 wind farm in South Australia.
Construction of Willogoleche 2 is expected to commence in late 2026, and be commissioned in 2028.
“The development and operation of the first stage of Willogoleche has enjoyed great community support, and for years has been the jewel in the crown of ENGIE’s South Australian renewables portfolio,” Caspari said.
“With the additional backing of the Federal Government, Willogoleche will go from strength to strength.”
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