Ark Energy has received approval to connect its Richmond Valley Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System project to the National Electricity Market, marking a significant step toward construction of one of the more technically distinctive hybrid renewable projects in Australia.

Approval Process and Technical Requirements

The grid connection approval was granted by the Australian Energy Market Operator and transmission network service provider Transgrid, allowing the project to connect to the local 330 kilovolt network via a Richmond Valley Switching Station that is yet to be constructed. The project also received its 5.3.4.A/B letters confirming it meets Generator Performance Standards.

According to Ark Energy, reaching this milestone required an extensive process that included design adjustments, power system modelling, hundreds of simulations, network studies, and workshops before the necessary approvals were granted.

Project Design and Technology

The Richmond Valley project is located in northern New South Wales and will incorporate grid-forming inverter technology. Ark Energy describes it as one of the first hybrid solar and battery energy storage projects in the National Electricity Market to operate with a single point of connection, a configuration the company characterises as industry-leading.

The first stage of the project will consist of a 200-megawatt alternating current solar farm paired with a long-duration 275-megawatt, 2,200-megawatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery energy storage system.

Path to Financial Close and Construction

Ark Energy chief executive Michael Choi said the grid connection approval brings the project closer to financial close. Construction is targeted to commence later in 2026.

"We are thrilled to secure a grid connection for the Richmond Valley Solar Farm and BESS. This is a huge achievement and takes us closer to reaching financial close on the project, and our goal of breaking ground in the coming months," Choi said.

Choi added that once operational, the project would make a significant contribution to electricity supply and grid stability for New South Wales and the broader National Electricity Market.

Broader Portfolio Context

Ark Energy holds a portfolio of utility-scale renewable energy generation and storage projects currently in development across New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.

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