Ark Energy has signed a supply agreement for the battery energy storage system (BESS) for its Richmond Valley Solar & BESS project, proposed for south of Casino in northern NSW.

The contract, signed with Hanwha Energy on 12 March 2025, is for the manufacture, delivery and installation of a lithium iron phosphate battery with a power capacity of 275 megawatts and energy storage capacity of up to 2,200 megawatt hours 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.

Signing of the contract is a key milestone for the Richmond Valley project, which in 2023 was awarded a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) under the NSW 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 NSW, and will support the electricity needs of NSW consumers and enhance grid stability of the state's energy network.