Global energy storage owner-operator BW ESS has completed the acquisition of the Yanco Battery Energy Storage System from Australian renewable energy developer ACEnergy, with site construction set to begin later this year and commercial operation targeted for 2028.

A Ready-to-Build Asset Changes Hands

The Yanco BESS project, located in the Riverina region of New South Wales, carries a capacity of 250 MW and 1,000 MWh. ACEnergy developed the project from origination through to ready-to-build status, securing land access, planning approval, grid connection, and all key project rights and contracts before transferring ownership to BW ESS.

The project will connect to the Yanco 132kV substation and is designed to provide firming capacity, energy arbitrage and system security services to the National Electricity Market. Once operational, the project has the capacity to supply around 430,000 homes with electricity for four hours.

Raymond Wang, Managing Director of ACEnergy, described the transaction as a significant milestone for the company. "Financial close on Yanco BESS is a significant milestone for ACEnergy and a strong endorsement of our platform.

We have taken the project from origination through to ready-to-build, working closely with the local community and stakeholders along the way," Wang said. "BW ESS has a strong track record of delivering and operating major energy storage projects, and the capability and resources to realise Yanco's full potential."

Yanco BESS is the fifth large-scale battery energy storage development by ACEnergy to reach financial close. The Melbourne-headquartered company has more than 2.5GW of renewable energy projects in development across the National Electricity Market and delivers in-house engineering, procurement and construction capability through its subsidiary ACLE Services.

Contractors Appointed as Construction Approaches

With the acquisition complete, BW ESS has moved quickly to assemble the project team ahead of construction. Global energy storage technology company CATL has been appointed as System Integrator for the project, while ACLE Services has been engaged as Balance of Plant contractor. Both CATL and ACLE Services will also provide long-term operations and maintenance services to the project once it becomes operational.

The project's revenues are underpinned by a capacity swap arrangement, which provides long-term contracted cash flow for the asset.

Andy Hadland, Executive Director at BW ESS, said the company was focused on progressing the project responsibly. "As a long-term owner and operator of energy-storage assets, our priority is to progress the project responsibly, establish strong local relationships, and deliver enduring value for the electricity system," Hadland said.

"Australia's investment in a more flexible and reliable power system creates a compelling role for battery storage, and we are delighted to support that transition through Yanco BESS."

Community Commitments Carry Over Under New Ownership

Yanco BESS has been shaped by ongoing engagement with the local community, and BW ESS has confirmed that the project's existing commitments will continue under its ownership.

These include a three-million-dollar Voluntary Planning Agreement with Leeton Shire Council. BW ESS has also stated a focus on maximising local employment and procurement opportunities as construction progresses, along with a commitment to ongoing community and local stakeholder engagement.

Expanding BW ESS's Australian Footprint

The Yanco acquisition adds to what BW ESS describes as a growing Australian portfolio. The company currently has wholly or jointly-owned projects totalling 1.3 GWh in the commissioning phase and 1 GWh entering construction, alongside a greenfield pipeline totalling around 2 GW across the National Electricity Market. The addition of the 1,000 MWh Yanco project represents a further step in the company's stated commitment to supporting Australia's energy transition.

BW ESS operates internationally across the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. The company has more than 540 MWh of operating battery energy storage systems, approximately 11 GWh under construction, and a development pipeline of several gigawatts. It operates as part of BW Group, which the company describes as bringing decades of global infrastructure experience to its energy storage activities.

Australia's Storage Buildout Continues

The transaction comes as Australia continues to invest in large-scale battery storage to manage rising electricity demand and maintain grid reliability. Projects such as Yanco BESS are positioned to play an increasingly important role in providing the flexible capacity and system security services the National Electricity Market requires as the energy mix evolves.

For ACEnergy, the sale of Yanco BESS to a long-term capital partner reflects the company's development model, which involves taking projects from origination to a ready-to-build or financial close stage before partnering with investors and operators equipped to manage construction and long-term operation. The company continues to hold a broader pipeline of battery energy storage and solar projects across the National Electricity Market.

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