Griffith BESS
Griffith BESS is a utility-scale 100MW lithium-ion battery energy storage system, located in Yoogali, a suburb of Griffith LGA in New South Wales with a direct connection to the Griffith Substation. The project will generate electricity into the National Electricity Market (NEM) NSW/ACT Region with a proposed operational life of 20+ years.
Griffith BESS is anticipated to be in operations in 2028. The project is currently in development with planning and environmental studies underway. We are keen to receive feedback from local residents and the community about the project.
At Eku, we take community engagement and benefits sharing seriously. We want to ensure that our Williamsdale BESS grants program has long-lasting, positive impact on the community around Tuggeranong.
We therefore established the following Investment Principles to guide the program and support the following initiatives:
[A] Employment and education: Initiatives that support educational or employment outcomes (e.g. literacy; numeracy; science, technology, engineering and maths).
[B] Social connectedness: Initiatives that support community connectedness, wellbeing and livability.
[C] Environmental: Initiatives that support or drive sustainability and environmental outcomes.
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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we live and work including the Wiradjuri people as the traditional owners of the land on which the proposed project will store energy, and pay respect to Wiradjuri Elders past, present. We acknowledge and respect their culture, beliefs, contributions, and spiritual and historic connection with the land.
Who is Eku Energy?
Eku Energy is deeply committed to our mission of accelerating the global energy transition by delivering safe, secure and reliable energy storage solutions that provide cost-effective clean energy to existing and future generations. Our vision is to be recognized as the world's best creator of energy storage investment products.
At Eku Energy, we are a high-performance global team that is expert and specialist in energy storage: this is what we do. What sets us apart is our technology enabled business paired with our curiosity and outcomes focused mindset to deliver innovative solutions around design, contracting structures and financing to achieve the most cost-effective clean energy solution to energy users.
Operating across the entire project lifecycle—from origination and development through to construction and ongoing management—Eku Energy is a trusted leader in the energy sector. The company’s global presence across Australia, Japan, Italy and the UK allows us to bring together a wealth of experience in navigating complex regulatory, financial and market environments. We want to pave the way for a greener and just future for all, by securing tomorrow's energy today.
Where does Eku Energy operate?
Eku Energy is headquartered in London with further offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore and Tokyo. We are soon to open offices in Italy and Germany.
What is Eku Energy’s pipeline?
We currently have 7 assets under either construction or in operations with a further 50+ projects in the pipeline.
What is a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)?
A Battery EnergyStorage System (BESS) is a large-scale energy storage facility that stores and releases energy to the electricity grid. A BESS comprises several "enclosures" or battery units (broadly resembling a shipping container), inverters, transformers and other electrical equipment. A BESS site usually also includes access tracks, water tanks, site offices, amenities and screening.
Why do we need Battery Energy Storage Systems?
Energy storage is essential in supporting the safe, secure and reliable operation of Australia’s National Electricity Market. A BESS provides fast responding, dispatchable energy to the grid to ensure that electricity supply remains reliable and stable. At times of excess supply in the grid, such as during the middle of a sunny day, the BESS will charge by importing electricity from the grid. During times of lower supply and higher demand, such as the early evening, the BESS will discharge, exporting electricity into and stabilising the grid.
A BESS makes electricity generated from intermittent sources like wind and solar dispatchable and can help to balance the grid. It also enables the grid to absorb more renewable energy generation like from household rooftop solar. A BESS also provides a range of essential system services, such as frequency and voltage support which ensure the grid operates securely.
What is the size of Griffith BESS and where will it be located?
With the need for energy storage increasing, we are working with the developers of the Yoogali Solar Farm (EDP Renewables) to increase the size of the BESS already approved at the solar farm. The Griffith BESS will be a 100MW lithium-ion BESS, utilising existing land within the solar farm footprint and be located about 500m from Griffith Substation in Griffith Local Government Area, NSW. It will be developed on approximately 4 – 5 ha land, located next door to the existing Griffith Substation on the corner of Irrigation Way and Bob Irvin Road.
How does the Griffith BESS operate?
Griffith BESS is a 100MW grid-connected BESS. It is connected to the Griffith Substation within Transgrid’s transmission network. The Griffith BESS is uniquely positioned within a part of the network that already hosts existing solar generation including the Griffith Solar Farm (36MW) and Darlington Point Solar Farm (275MW). Its location will support excess renewable electricity from solar farms from being curtailed, or ‘switched off’, due to local network constraints. This supports more cheap, renewable electricity making its way to NSW energy consumers.
Griffith BESS will accommodate grid-forming inverter technology, meaning that it can provide essential system services like voltage support and reactive power to support network stability as NSW thermal units retire at end of life.
Has the community been consulted on this project and how did this consultation occur?
Eku Energy are committed to transparent, open and proactive consultation with First Nations, local stakeholders and the broader community. We are engaged with a variety of local education and workforce institutions and First Nations representatives within the Griffith and Riverina areas.
We are continuing ongoing information and consultation activities with details to be released via ekuenergy.com and direct communication channels.
How will the local community benefit from this project?
Eku Energy will establish a community grants program to support local non-for profits and fund projects or initiatives according to a set of social investment criteria, including positive impact on the environment, social connectedness as well as employment and education. The design of the community benefits sharing program is underway with feedback obtained via our first community information session on 30 January 2025. We welcome ongoing suggestions on ways that Griffith BESS can share benefits with the community.
In due course, Eku Energy will invite eligible local non-for profits and community organisations that are aligned with the project’s investment principles to get in touch and apply via the project website.
How many jobs will be created through the project?
During the peak of the construction, we estimate approximately 100-150 jobs will support the project.
Are there any environmental or heritage concerns at the site?
The project is located on an uninhabited rural lot in the suburb of Yoogali, sited within an approved solar farm footprint, where environment and heritage surveys have been conducted to ensure minimal impact. The area comprises cropped land with patches of native vegetation and we expect the development will not have a significant impact on environmental values.
Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council is the recognised ATSIC representative forum for the Griffith Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander(ATSIC) community. Eku Energy recognise its role in identifying and preserving the Aboriginal heritage and culture of this area and advocating for the interest of the community and negotiating improvement in service delivery and coordination on behalf of the community. Eku Energy commits to meaningful and continuing engagement with Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Do batteries emit noise and how will that impact residents?
During construction, the potential impacts of the project on the surrounding area residents may include noise (construction and electrical hum) and increased traffic movements to support the safe delivery of plant to site.
During operations, batteries do emit some noise during their operations depending on their operating mode and ambient air temperature. However, the design of the BESS has sought to minimise operational noise and conservative mitigation measures (such as acoustic walls) to ensure alignment with local regulations.
How do you plan to manage traffic during the construction period so that it does not impact residents?
Appropriate traffic management plans will be in place during the construction period and residents will be notified ahead of time should there be any essential works/periods where access may impact traffic flow.
How do you plan to manage any waste including construction waste that is generated?
A Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) will be developed by the Balance of Plant Contractor to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect flora and fauna. A site manager will be appointed to ensure that all waste will be stored, transferred, and collected onsite by a commercial contractor, that all building waste is to be stored on the site in suitable receptacles/containers and collected regularly and that the lessee is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that waste, particularly wind-borne litter, does not affect adjoining or adjacent properties. Methods for waste management and minimisation are identified and planned for at theplanning stage of the project using the Waste Management and Minimisation Assessment.
All wastes from this project will be tracked using a waste disposal register. This register will identify the following as a minimum:
· Date and time that loads departed site
· Who inspected the load and type of waste
· Vehicle rego and load quantity
· Disposal point
· Disposal Certificates
· Quantity of material recycled or reused
In addition, a waste management and minimisation assessment will also be undertaken to determine the requirements for contaminated materials and waste.
What are your plans for the BESS when it is decommissioned at the end of life?
At the end of the BESS’s useful life, the project will be fully decommissioned. This will include:
· Removal of all above-ground, non-operational equipment
· Removal of any underground equipment buried at a depth shallower than 0.5 meters; and
· Cleanup of any residual contamination.
During decommissioning, we will assess options for repurposing the facility, re-using equipment, and recycling materials wherever possible. Any materials that cannot be re-used or recycled will be classified according to relevant guidelines and disposed of at an appropriate facility
How do you plan to manage any flora and fauna impacts resulting from the construction?
A Construction Environment Management Plan has been developed to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect flora and fauna.
Why do batteries catch on fire?
Energy storage solutions that are available in the market are specifically designed to manage and mitigate fire risk and they operate with comprehensive safety features in both the hardware and software technology.
Battery suppliers have invested significantly in fire suppression and management systems to mitigate and contain fire risk, the industry and technology innovation has benefited from the significant volume of large-scale batteries being deployed around the world. We have been working closely with local emergency authorities to ensure the design and operation of the battery does not introduce any risks.
Lithium-Ion batteries, if damaged or faulty, can experience a thermal runaway event which may result in a fire. Put in the simplest of terms, thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries is an overheating of the battery cell which results in a chemical reaction. This process occurs when the temperature within the battery cell exceeds a certain point - that is, the heat generated is greater than the heat that is dispersed. Utility scale batteries that are being constructed in Australia are designed to meet industry-leading safety standards, such as UL9540, UL9540A, and IEC compliance.
Delivering safe, secure and reliable capacity to the energy market is a key focus of Eku Energy and our procurement processes ensure the systems we deliver are consistent with global best practice.
What if a fire does occur at the site? How will it be managed and will it impact the air quality?
We have been working closely with the local fire department to ensure the design and operation of the battery does not introduce any operational risks. This includes ensuring that any management responses and actions meet protocols from the local authorities.
How can I get in contact?
We operate a dedicated toll-free number 1800 989 687 and our email is griffith@ekuenergy.com
If you would like to contact a member of our team directly to ask a question or discuss matters about this project, please contact us below:
If you would like to contact a member of our team directly to ask a question or discuss matters about this project, please contact us below:
Email: griffith@ekuenergy.com
Phone: 1800 989 687
