ACEN, Marubeni partner for 200-MW BESS project

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala-owned ACEN Australia has teamed up with Marubeni Asian Power Singapore for the joint development of a 200 megawatts battery energy storage system in New South Wales, Australia.

Once finished in 2025, the project will be among the largest co-located solar and battery energy storage system facilities (BESS) in Australia, allowing energy to be stored and made available to the grid when needed.

ACEN and Marubeni signed a cooperation agreement during the Philippine Business Forum held in Melbourne, Australia.

The 50-50 joint venture has a projected investment amount of AU$250 million.

ACEN Australia managing director David Pollington said the partnership promotes the sustainable supply of renewable energy in Australia.

“Battery storage will play a critical role in bringing renewable energy projects to life and clean electricity for Australian homes and businesses,” Pollington said.

According to Pollington, the project will be a major contributor to Australia’s National Electricity Market.

“We believe the project will be successfully materialized through the strength and cooperation of both companies,” Marubeni CEO Maroo Shino said.

Transgrid Group’s commercial arm Lumea will connect the battery energy storage system to the grid, helping secure energy supply as the network transitions from coal-fired power stations to renewable generation and energy storage.

“The team is excited to get on with the job of connecting the battery energy storage system to the electricity network – it’s a very big step forward in the energy transition and for Australia’s electricity consumers,” Transgrid CEO Brett Redman said.

ACEN has other energy projects in Australia, such as the New England Solar with a 720-MW solar and battery project near Urulla in New South Wales.

While stage 2 of the project will begin construction in 2024, the first stage is already complete, serving about 400 MW of renewable energy.

Singapore-based Marubeni currently owns and operates 35,000 MW energy systems worldwide.

Marubeni has other investments in Australia, such as the energy retailer Smartest Energy Australia. It is also a consortium member for Sydney NorthWest Metro and Stage 3 Gold Coast Light Rail PPP, Portland Aluminum Smelter, Boynes Aluminum Smelter and the Roy Hill Iron Ore Mine.