Bellambi Heights BESS
| Project Name | Bellambi Heights BESS |
| Technology | Battery Energy Storage System |
| Capacity | 408 MW |
| Project Size | 23 ha |
| Location | Beryl, New South Wales |
| Construction | Q1 2026 |
SECTIONS
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Bellambi Heights Battery Energy Storage System is a 408 MW battery capable of providing approximately 2 hours of storage and will be supported by associated infrastructure.
Location
The project is located approximately 6.5 kilometres north-west of Gulgong within the Mid-Western Regional Council area and the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.
The site is ideally placed to contribute to the development of the Renewable Energy Zone and assist in meeting NSW’s energy generation and storage requirements. The site presents optimal conditions for utility-scale BESS as it is relatively flat, predominantly cleared, with existing 330 kilovolt transmission lines traversing the property.
The site provides a strong point of connection to the transmission network, making it ideal for providing storage and firming capacity to the NSW electricity grid with minimal requirements for additional transmission infrastructure.
The need for storage
Storage is increasingly important as NSW transitions to renewable energy generation. The intermittent nature of wind and solar resources creates the need for back-up capacity to support any supply gaps.
The Australian Energy Market Operator has identified that storage capacity needs to triple within the National Energy Market to meet electricity needs, while the NSW Electricity Roadmap forecasts an additional 2.3GW of energy storage is needed to maintain system security and reliability.
Project History
The project has been in development since 2018. It was originally proposed as the ‘Gulgong Solar Farm’ with up to 500MW of solar and 600MW of BESS.
Early community feedback led to significant design changes, including reducing the development footprint by more than 50%, adding native vegetation screening and relocating key infrastructure. Further refinement resulted in removal of the solar component entirely, with development focusing on the BESS and switchyard.
Planning Process
The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces granted consent for the project on 2 May 2024.
A modification was approved on 20 October 2025 to optimise the development footprint and associated infrastructure. Key changes include:
- An optimised substation and switching yard layout
- Consolidation of the development footprint within the Transgrid 330kV easement to allow the full scope of cut-in works, including construction of a new transmission tower and decommissioning of the existing tower, and strengthening of an existing transmission tower
- A reduction in the approved development footprint occupied by the BESS compound
- A reduction in the size of the BESS temporary construction laydown area
The consolidated consent can be viewed on the NSW Major Projects website. For convenience, key project documents including the approved Development Consent, the Modification Report, Consolidated Consent and supporting studies are also available in the Project Documentation section below.
Benefits
The Bellambi Heights BESS will increase energy storage capacity in New South Wales, supporting the Australian Energy Market Operator’s recommendation that installed storage capacity needs to triple to meet electricity needs.
The project will provide storage and firming capacity to the National Electricity Market (NEM) and assist with grid stability through frequency control ancillary services.
Economic benefits
Vena Energy supports local procurement and will promote participation from local, regional and Australian suppliers wherever possible. Local purchasing is likely to include fencing contractors, concreters, welders, electricians, plant and equipment operators, transport contractors and administrators.
Engagement
Vena Energy is committed to keeping the community informed throughout the construction and operation of the Bellambi Heights BESS.
Community participation
During the planning process, Vena Energy engaged with the community through information sessions, newsletters and direct engagement with adjoining landholders, traditional owners, Council and State Government agencies.
Ongoing engagement
Now that construction is underway, we continue to engage with the community in line with our Conditions of Approval. We provide regular project updates through this website, including monthly progress reports.
All enquiries and feedback are registered to maintain an accurate record of stakeholder interactions and ensure requests for information are responded to promptly.
Project Updates
Employment & Procurement
Project Documentation
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.
Bellambi Heights Project Team
Phone: 1800 841 229
Email: bhrp.mailbox@venaenergy.com
Feedback Form: here or via the QR code
