RWE Achieves Milestone with Australia’s First Eight-Hour Grid-Scale Battery at Limondale Solar Farm

RWE Renewables Australia has reached a significant milestone in the nation’s energy transition with the successful registration of Australia’s first eight-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Limondale Solar Farm near Balranald, New South Wales.

The Limondale BESS features 144 Tesla Megapacks, delivering over 50 MW of power and 400 MWh of energy storage, making it the country’s longest-duration grid-scale battery in operation.Daniel Belton, CEO RWE Renewables Australia: “The registration of the Limondale BESS marks a defining moment for long-duration battery storage in Australia. 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.”

Malcolm Sherrington, Senior Construction Manager RWE Renewables Australia: “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.”

This achievement marks the transition from construction to hold point testing, with full commissioning expected by the end of the year.

As the first project awarded a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) under New South Wales’ Long Duration Storage tender, the Limondale BESS will play a pivotal role in the state’s energy transition. Once operational, it will store excess renewable energy during the day and dispatch it during periods of high demand, enhancing grid stability and supporting greater integration of renewables into the energy mix.