A new BESS (battery energy storage system) has been commissioned at the Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid, located 90km southeast of Adelaide.
The final milestone of the Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid Project is a newly commissioned 41.5MW BESS, which complements an existing 87MW solar farm, achieving a total capacity of 128.5MW.
The project’s design allows the solar and battery components to operate independently while sharing a single grid connection. Vena Energy said its greenfield solar and battery energy project represents the largest utility-scale hybrid renewable facility with a single connection to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Vena Energy Head of Australia, Owen Sela, said the hybrid configuration redefines operational flexibility.
“Our system enables simultaneous export of solar power to the grid and independent operation of the battery for energy export or storage. By optimising existing grid infrastructure, we are enabling renewable energy to be dispatched when needed, delivering cost-effective power to South Australia.
“This ability to store surplus energy and meet high-demand periods advances our mission to accelerate the energy transition, while ensuring communities benefit from a smarter, more resilient energy system that supports the state’s 2030 emissions targets and Australia’s net zero future,” he said.
Vena Energy said with the capacity to power more than 38,000 homes annually and avoid nearly 222,800t of greenhouse gas emissions, Tailem Bend 2 contributes significantly to a sustainable future.
Technologies such as bi-facial solar panels mounted on tracking systems which capture both direct and reflected sunlight, are expected to enhance the solar farm’s efficiency.
Vena Energy said the project demonstrated strong local engagement across both facilities, with the solar farm construction attracting approximately 50 per cent of its workforce sourced from the local region, including Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge and surrounding areas, with an additional 35 per cent from within South Australia during peak construction periods.
The company also said the solar workforce also achieved notable diversity outcomes, with ten per cent of workers identifying as First Nations and 14 per cent being female. The BESS construction, while involving a smaller specialised team, maintained a commitment to local content with 25 per cent of its workforce, including key management roles and civil contractors, sourced from South Australia.
The Tailem Bend 2 Hybrid Project is located adjacent to the 95MW Tailem Bend 1 Solar Farm, which began operations in early 2019. Together, the two solar projects are expected to deliver a combined capacity of 182MW, which increases to 223.5MW with the integration of battery storage at Tailem Bend 2.
Additionally, Vena Energy said it has also secured approval for another BESS at Tailem Bend, which will enable up to 204MW/408MWh of renewable energy storage, sourced directly from the grid.
