VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – May 16, 2025 – Elgin Energy has received Grid Connection (GPS) approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) for its 150MW Elaine solar-plus-storage project in the Central Highlands of Victoria.

The project includes a 125MW/250MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and will connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM). The approval, formalized through AEMO’s Clause 5.3.4A letter, confirms performance standards and system strength assessment, allowing the project to proceed to construction.

“This is one of our largest hybrid developments to date and reflects our long-term commitment to delivering clean, stable and scalable renewable energy solutions,” said Tim Averill, Managing Director at Elgin Energy.

The facility will feature approximately 230,000 solar PV modules and will deploy the SMA Hybrid Power Plant Manager system, supported by Sunny Central PV and grid-forming storage inverters.

According to John Alexander, Vice President of Large-Scale Projects at SMA Australia, the system will provide “critical network services for a secure and resilient energy future,” including synthetic inertia, fast frequency response, and system strength mitigation.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with commercial operations targeted for 2027.

This follows Elgin’s recent success with the larger 330MW Barwon Solar Farm, fast-tracked by the Victorian Government earlier this year. Located near Little River, it will include a co-located 250MW/500MWh BESS and was selected in the first Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender.

Source: energy-storage.news