FRV Australia Plans 200 MW Solar Farm and Gigawatt-Scale Battery Project in New South Wales

FRV Australia, a joint venture between Abdul Latif Jameel Energy and Canadian pension fund OMERS, is advancing plans to develop a 200 MW solar farm and one of the region’s largest battery energy storage systems (BESS) near Texas in northern New South Wales. The company has initiated the federal environmental approval process for the integrated renewable energy project, marking a major step in its long-term expansion strategy across Australia’s clean energy landscape.

According to project filings, the Texas Solar Farm will be supported by a utility-scale BESS with a storage capacity of 550 MW / 2.2 GWh, positioning it among the largest battery projects currently proposed in the country. The hybrid plant is designed to strengthen local grid reliability while contributing to Australia’s accelerated transition toward high-penetration renewable energy.

The proposal comes as FRV continues to scale its national footprint, which already includes nearly 1 GW of operational and committed solar assets, along with several BESS installations such as the Yorke Peninsula (102.5 MW / 205 MWh) facility. The company recently secured AUD 1.2 billion in refinancing to support a broader portfolio of eight operational solar and storage projects, underscoring strong investor confidence in large-scale renewable infrastructure.

Australia’s utility-scale battery sector is undergoing rapid growth, with more than 14 GW / 37 GWh of BESS capacity now operational, under construction, or approaching financial close. The national development pipeline has surged from 109 GW in August 2024 to 154 GW by late 2025, driven by the Federal Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme and increasing demand for flexible grid support.

The Texas project joins a growing list of major storage initiatives across the country, including Neoen’s 270 MW / 540 MWh Western Downs Battery and Akaysha Energy’s planned Waratah Super Battery, expected to reach 850 MW / 1.6 GWh upon completion.

FRV Australia stated that the Texas Solar Farm and associated storage project will deliver regional investment, construction employment, and enhanced grid stability for New South Wales. Subject to approvals, the project will progress to detailed design and construction phases over the coming years.