Project Updates - New England Solar
Tender Overview
About this tender
ACEN Australia Pty Ltd has approval to develop the New England Solar and Battery Project, a State Significant grid-connected solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project along with associated infrastructure, approximately 6km east of the township of Uralla, in the Uralla Shire local government area. New England Solar is within the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) but is connected to the national energy grid through existing infrastructure. New England Solar was approved, subject to conditions, by the NSW Independent Planning Commission on 9 March 2020 (SSD-9255). New England Solar will be constructed in the following stages: - Stage 1a: Construction of a 400MW solar farm within the Northern Array (completed in 2023). - Stage 1b: Operations of 400MW solar (commenced in 2023). - Stage 2a: Construction of a 320MW solar farm within the Central Array. - Stage 2b: Operations of 320MW solar - Stage 3a: Construction of 200MW/2hr BESS within the approved Substation/BESS area - Stage 4a: Construction of 1200MW/2hr BESS within the approved Substation/BESS area - Stage 4b: Operations of 1200MW/2hr BESS - Stage 5: Decommissioning On 29 August 2023, the approval authority agreed with ACEN Australia's proposal including the submission of management plans that encompass Stage 1 to Stage 2. These management plans were subsequently submitted to the approval authority, and all were approved by 22 December 2023. The approved management plans are publicly available on the project website, www.newenglandsolar.com.au. On 29 February 2024, ACEN Australia advised the approval authority that Stage 2a had commenced. On 5 July 2024, ACEN Australia advised the approval authority that Stage 3a has commenced. For Stage 2a, EPEC was awarded the EPC contract for the HV Works (330kV to 33kV substation bays) and commenced works in 2024. Construction of the solar farm works is expected to commence in 2026, with the appointment of an EPC contractor in late 2025/ early 2026. Transgrid completed the required Switchyard Bay in 2022. For Stage 3a, EPEC was awarded the EPC contract for the HV Works (330kV to 33kV substation bays) and commenced works in 2024. The EPC contract for the BESS was awarded to Energy Vault who commenced in 2024. The Network Connection agreement and Project Agreement was signed with Transgrid for the Grid Connection Infrastructure Switchyard Bay, with works commencing in 2024. Express interest for any opportunities that may arise for this project.
How to respond to this tender
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Read the requirements in full
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