Belhaven BESS
| Project Name | Belhaven BESS |
| Technology | Battery Energy Storage System |
| Capacity | 400 MW |
| Project Size | 10ha |
| Location | Wagga Wagga, New South Wales |
| Stage | Development |
SECTIONS
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Belhaven Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a 400 MW battery and associated infrastructure, capable of storing up to 3,985 MWh of energy for the National Electricity Market.
The Belhaven BESS will be located around 7 kilometres south of Wagga Wagga, on the western side of the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre on the southern side of Boiling Down Road. The site’s location within the Riverina Region is ideally placed to assist in meeting the energy generation and storage requirements for New South Wales. The Belhaven BESS represents a positive outcome for the Riverina Murray Regional Plan 2041, which seeks integrated and resilient utility infrastructure, by contributing to the required energy storage infrastructure to support the State’s transition to net zero by 2050.
The site has a strong connection to the transmission network, with the existing 330 kilovolt TransGrid substation located within 1.4km. This makes it an ideal location to provide grid stability and backup power during network interruptions, with minimal need for additional transmission infrastructure. The project will also deliver economic benefits to the local community through construction jobs, supplier contracts and flow-on benefits to local businesses.
There is a growing need for storage within the network as the transition to renewable energy accelerates. The intermittent nature of wind and solar creates the need for backup capacity to support supply gaps. The Australian Energy Market Operator has identified that storage capacity needs to triple within the National Electricity Market to meet future electricity demands, while the New South Wales Electricity Roadmap forecasts an additional 2.3 GW of energy storage is needed to maintain system security and reliability.
The Belhaven BESS will provide system security to the power network by:
- Being registered as a generating unit in the National Electricity Market.
- Providing firming capacity to fill supply gaps during network interruptions and when renewable generation is intermittent.
- Increasing supply and competition between generators, which will put downward pressure on electricity prices.
- Operating in ancillary service markets to assist with network stabilisation.
- Improving the average emissions intensity of the NEM by providing greater capacity for renewable energy generators.
Project History
Planning Process
The Project is a State Significant Development and an Environmental Impact Statement is required to be assessed under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (1979). Assessments are being finalised, with the Development Application expected to be lodged in Q2 2026. Subject to approval, Vena Energy anticipates construction will commence in Q2/Q3 2027.
A suite of guidelines has been developed for State Significant Development projects by the Department of Planning and Environment to detail the assessment process and expectations for the environmental assessment documentation.
All current State Significant Applications can be found on the Department’s Major Project Portal, which provides a platform to gain an insight into the status of the assessment process, access all relevant assessment materials for the Development Applications, and contact details for the Department’s assessment officer.
The assessment materials for the Belhaven BESS are accessible on the Major Project Portal, here.
Benefits
The Belhaven BESS will contribute to New South Wales’ energy security and net-zero targets by adding significant storage capacity to the grid.
During construction and operations, the project will create real opportunities for the local community, including:
- Employment across a range of roles and skill levels
- Procurement opportunities for local suppliers, contractors and service providers
- Flow-on economic benefits to local businesses in the Wagga Wagga region
Vena Energy supports local procurement and will actively promote participation from local and regional suppliers wherever possible. This includes services such as fencing, civil works, electrical contracting, plant and equipment operation, transport and administration.
Construction is expected to take up to 24 months, with a workforce peaking at approximately 200 people.
Closer to construction, the community will be invited to express interest in employment and contracting opportunities.
Engagement
Vena Energy is committed to ongoing and genuine engagement with the local community of Wagga Wagga and our project stakeholders.
As the project progresses we will:
- Share regular project updates and key findings
- Consult proactively with neighbours, the wider community and interested stakeholders
- Listen to feedback and use it to inform the development of the project
- Provide clear channels for communication at every stage
We encourage you to get in touch or register for project updates and engagement activities via the online form or QR code below.
News
News and mentions relevant to the Belhaven BESS will be posted here, such as news articles or future stakeholder events or activities.
Feedback
Vena Energy is committed to delivering world class renewable energy projects that better serve the interests of our communities and stakeholders.
In line with this commitment, we invite you to get in touch if you have any feedback or require additional project information. Please contact us using the details below.
Belhaven BESS Team
Phone: 1800 841 229
Email: belhaven.mailbox@venaenergy.com
Feedback Form: here or via the QR code
