Sungrow, the global PV inverter and energy storage system provider, has officially commenced construction of ENGIE's Pelican Point BESS at Pelican Point Power Station in Adelaide, South Australia. The construction began on November 26, 2025, with delivery partners Elecnor and Electranet participating in the landmark utility-scale project.

The 200 MW / 400 MWh battery energy storage system is currently in development and is expected to begin operation in the second half of 2027. Located next to the Pelican Point Power Station in Outer Harbour, Adelaide, the system will have the capacity to store and discharge enough energy to power more than 29,400 average South Australian homes once completed.

Addressing Grid Stability Challenges

South Australia already leads the world in renewable energy penetration, but the state's rapid shift to wind and solar has introduced new operational challenges. These challenges include increasing system strength risks, frequency volatility, and the need for fast-response capacity during periods of high renewable output and low synchronous generation.

The Pelican Point BESS is designed to effectively address these challenges by providing large-scale storage, grid stability services, and improved system resilience for the wider network. The project is designed to manage the variability of high penetration solar and wind generation while maintaining grid strength during periods of peak renewable output.

The project demonstrates how existing energy infrastructure can be modernized and repurposed to support the evolving needs of a decarbonized power system. Located next to the Pelican Point Power Station, the project uses a complementary hybrid operational model in which the upgraded gas plant and the new battery system work together to support flexible, reliable energy delivery.

Technical Specifications and Innovation

For Sungrow, Pelican Point represents the company's first grid-forming BESS project in South Australia, showcasing advanced technical capabilities needed to maintain system strength under high renewable penetration. The project will deploy a suite of integrated Sungrow technologies engineered for utility-scale performance and reliability.

The system features grid-forming capability through an integrated skid with inverters, MV transformers and RMU, delivering advanced bidirectional power conversion with grid-forming capability. The SC6900UD-MV Power Conversion System (PCS) inverters are designed for utility-scale applications, supporting robust grid services and high efficiency.

The project incorporates ST5015UX Battery Containers from the PowerTitan 2.0 Series, which feature high energy density, liquid cooling, and advanced battery management to ensure reliability, safety, and long cycle life. These pre-assembled, factory-tested containers enable accelerated onsite installation and minimize system integration risk.

The PPC EMS3000 Plant Controller provides comprehensive plant control, monitoring, and grid integration services. The EMS is designed for scalable, utility-class storage plants and ensures the system can respond to market signals, grid stability requirements, and site-specific operational needs.

Partnership and Company Background

ENGIE's partnership with Sungrow highlights confidence in Sungrow's global BESS expertise and technology leadership. Joe Zhou, Country Director of Sungrow Australia, stated that the Pelican Point BESS marks an important step in Australia's clean energy evolution, combining Sungrow's advanced grid-forming technology with ENGIE's commitment to a carbon-neutral future.

Sungrow has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of June 2025, Sungrow has installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide, with innovations powering clean energy projects across the globe through a network of 520 service outlets.

ENGIE is described as a major player in the energy transition. The Group covers the entire energy value chain from production to infrastructures and sales, investing more than EUR 10 billion annually to drive forward the energy transition and achieve its net-zero carbon goal by 2045.

With development underway and commissioning set for the second half of 2027, the Pelican Point BESS is positioned to become a key asset in South Australia's energy transition, enabling deeper renewable integration, greater grid flexibility, and supporting future hybrid energy models.

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.