THE PROJECT

Occupying around 10 hectares, the proposed Inverell BESS Project will be situated roughly 5.5 km east of Inverell and approximately 128 km from Armidale—the regional center for electricity distribution and transmission. This location offers strategic access to New South Wales’ energy network, making it ideal for a large-scale battery project.

The Inverell BESS will have a proposed capacity of about 150 megawatts (MW) and 1,200 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage—sufficient to power approximately 52,500 households during an 8-hour discharge cycle.

The project is currently in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phase, pending approval from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). Following this approval, the project will progress to the contracting and financial close stages. Once funding is secured, we anticipate commencing construction in Q1 2028, with a target Commercial Operation Date (COD) of Q1 2029.

HOW WILL THE PROJECT OPERATE?

The proposed Inverell BESS Project will assist in renewable energy integration, such as solar and wind, by storing excess energy generated during peak production times and releasing it during periods of high demand. Inverell BESS Project will be built using modern and proven lithium battery storage technology and connected to the energy network through converter skids and power transformers.

During the charging phase, the electricity produced by solar PV, wind, and other generators on the energy network will be stored in the BESS by stepping down the voltages successively using power transformers and then converting from Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC) by electronic power converters. When needed, the process is reversed, where the energy stored in the BESS will be converted back to Alternating Current (AC) by the electronic power converters and the voltage is stepped up successively by power transformers to the required level for grid connection. Ultimately, the power will be fed into our electricity grid known as the National Electricity Market (NEM). The NEM supports around 80% of the entire Australian population with electricity and is one of the most expansive electrical networks in the world.

WHAT IS THE PROJECT STATUS?

The proposed Inverell BESS Project is considered a State Significant Development (SSD) and because of this must follow a rigid SSD application pathway with the NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

As of May 2026, the proposed Inverell BESS is in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) stage of the New South Wales State Significant Development assessment process. In November 2025, the Project submitted a Scoping Report to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. The Project later received the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs), which set out the studies and assessments needed for the EIS.

The Project is currently at step 4 of the 9-step NSW State Significant Development

NEW SOUTH WALES STATE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Inverell EIS SSD Timeline

Inverell BESS Battery Operation Benefits

  • Grid Stability and Reliability: The 150 MW 8-hour standalone BESS enhances grid stability by providing a bi-directional power function, helping to smooth out power fluctuations.
  • Renewable Energy Integration: Facilitates greater integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, by storing excess energy generated during peak production times and releasing it during periods of high demand.
  • Peak Load Management: Helps manage peak load demands, reducing the need for expensive and carbon-intensive peaking power plants, thereby lowering operational costs and environmental impact.
  • Essential System Services: Has the potential to provide additional system services to increase resilience of the local energy infrastructure.

Our Approach

Inverell BESS Project is expected to bring empowerment and economic growth to the local community. As the project is still in the early phase of development, South Energy hope to open the dialogue with local residents, community groups, the Council and relevant authorities to ensure that all opinions and ideas are considered in the process. We appreciate the input from members of the local community and always strive to work in conjunction with them to address any inquiries about the project.

Furthermore, we have commissioned a range of in-depth environmental assessments and engineering studies to identify and manage any potential impacts to the environment. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Preservation of cultural and heritage sites;
  • Management of traffic conditions;
  • Protecting the local ecology (both flora and fauna) by managing environmental risks;
  • Surface water evaluations to ensure the integrity of the existing watercourse;
  • Visual landscaping and using vegetation as natural screening from the surrounding area; and
  • Ensuring minimal noise emissions from the project’s construction and operation activities.