RWE Renewables Australia has achieved a major milestone in Australia's energy transition with the successful registration of the country's first eight-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), located at the Limondale Solar Farm near Balranald in New South Wales. The registration was announced on September 23, 2025, marking the transition from construction into the hold point testing phase.

The Limondale BESS comprises 144 Tesla Megapacks and has a capacity of over 50 megawatts (MW) and 400 megawatt-hours (MWh), making it the longest-duration grid-scale battery operating in the country. Hold point testing is set to commence in the coming weeks, with the system expected to be fully commissioned by the end of this year.

Project Significance and Functionality

The project was the first recipient of a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) under New South Wales' Long Duration Storage tender, highlighting its critical role in supporting the state's energy transition. Once fully operational, the Limondale BESS will store excess renewable energy generated during the day and dispatch it into the grid when demand is high, improving grid stability and enabling greater use of renewables in the energy mix.

Daniel Belton, CEO of RWE Renewables Australia, described the registration as "a defining moment for long-duration battery storage in Australia." He stated, "We are proud to bring our global expertise to deliver this pioneering project, which will support New South Wales' shift to cleaner, more reliable energy. Battery storage is a key enabler of the energy transition. With projects like Limondale BESS, RWE is helping to unlock the full value of renewable generation by ensuring energy is available when it's needed most."

Project Partners and Development

Malcolm Sherrington, Senior Construction Manager at RWE Renewables Australia, acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the project. "RWE would like to congratulate and thank our project partners Tesla, Beon, Lumea, and TransGrid for working with us to deliver Australia's first eight-hour battery and reaching another milestone in this important project for New South Wales energy supply," Sherrington said.

The battery system is being constructed within the boundary of the existing Limondale Solar Farm, which RWE began building in 2018. The large-scale solar farm comprises 872,000 panels and generates enough electricity to power approximately 105,000 homes annually. The solar farm achieved full commercial operation in 2021.

RWE's Australian Operations and Global Presence

Australia represents one of RWE's focus markets, where the company has maintained a presence since 2013. RWE's Australian team of 80 people is currently developing a portfolio of wind, solar, and battery storage projects across the country, supported by the global RWE team. The company's Australian portfolio includes the 1 GW Theodore Wind Farm in Queensland, which recently received Development Approval and is currently working through the federal EPBC process.

The eight-hour battery project at Limondale is on track to be completed in December. As a driver of the energy transition globally, RWE develops, builds, and operates battery storage systems in Europe, the United States, and Australia. The company currently operates battery storage systems with a total capacity of around 1,200 MW worldwide, demonstrating its commitment to large-scale energy storage solutions across multiple markets.

Connect with Decision-makers about the Latest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Projects in Australia for business Opportunities.

Subscribe to our database on BESS Projects and Tenders in Australia to get access to reliable and high-quality insights on upcoming, under-construction, and completed BESS Projects across the world or in your desired geographical location.

Our user-friendly platform provides essential details, timely updates, key stakeholder contact information, and business opportunities tailored for engineering companies, industry professionals, investors, and government agencies.