Bathurst BESS
BATHURST Battery Energy Storage SYSTEM
The proposed Bathurst Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a 500MW stand-alone battery to be located along the existing 330kV line between Mt Piper and Wellington, within the Bathurst Regional Council area.
Once operational, the Bathurst BESS will provide a range of electricity and power market services – supporting Firm Power’s mission to power the clean energy transition.
DEVELOPMENT STATUS
The Bathurst BESS is currently at an early stage of development with land secured and the initial phases of planning and grid connection underway. The development phase of the project is expected to complete in mid 2028.
SITE
Approximately 15ha of rural land has been secured, positioned along the 330kV circuit between Wellington and Mt Piper. The land is RU1 Primary Production Zone and supports the construction and operations of a battery energy storage system.
PLANNING
The planning approval pathway for the project is through the NSW State Significant Development process. It requires preparation of a scoping report, request for Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements, an Environmental Impact Statement and lodgement of the development application with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. The project is in early stages of the planning phase.
GRID
As part of the grid strategy, Firm Power will submit a connection application to Transgrid, including system studies and models which cover the performance of the BESS. Following review of the connection application by Transgrid and AEMO it is expected that an Offer to Connect will be received along with the associated connection agreement. The project is in its initial stages of the grid connection phase.
Construction & Operations
Once all necessary approvals, agreements and authorisations have been obtained, construction activities for the Bathurst BESS project can commence.
Construction is expected to take up to 18 months and involves site preparation, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning stages. Site preparation includes civil works to make the ground suitable for the BESS equipment, such as earthworks, drainage and foundations. Following this, electrical equipment such as battery module enclosures, inverters, transformers, switchgear and ancillary systems are delivered to site, installed and connected. The last step in construction is the testing and commissioning process where the BESS installation is validated and made ready for operation.
The BESS is expected to operate for approximately 20 years. During this period operational work will generally involve monitoring, testing and maintenance of equipment as well as deliveries, waste removal and other general site maintenance (such as care of groundcover). During this period the site will be monitored and controlled remotely with staff and contractors coming to site periodically for the other activities.
At the BESS end of life, the site will either be reconditioned or remediated. This involves the removal of all above-ground infrastructure and any works needed to return the land to a safe, clean and stable state.
Community
The Bathurst BESS will bring new sustainable technology to the local area and create construction jobs, opportunities for local suppliers and ongoing project roles. Firm Power is interested in talking to members of the community who have an interest in energy storage or who would like to discuss education, provision of services or employment opportunities that may exist in the future.
If you have questions or concerns, or would simply like to learn about the project, you can contact our team directly by filling out the following form or calling 1300 521 328.