THE NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved the 400 megawatt-hour Steel River East Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
Proposed by Ausgrid, the BESS will be located within an existing 132 kV electricity substation in Mayfield West.
Set within the Hunter and Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone, the BESS is intended to provide network stability and grid firming capabilities by storing energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during peak demand.
The State significant development (SSD) application was referred to the Commission for determination because more than 50 public objections were made to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) during its assessment period.
The Commission met with Newcastle City Council, DPHI and Ausgrid, conducted a site inspection and locality tour, and received nine written submissions from the public.
In its Statement of Reasons for Decision, the Commission found that the project “would contribute positively to the State’s transition to a lower-carbon energy system and deliver benefits to the State’s electricity network by enhancing grid reliability and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.”
The Steel River East BESS was found to be consistent with key NSW policies that collectively seek to accelerate renewable energy deployment and improve grid reliability.
All documents relating to the assessment and determination of this SSD application can be found on the Commission’s website: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/steel-river-east-battery-energy-storage-system-bess.
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