Australian renewable energy developer and operator Ark Energy says it has secured grid connection approval for its Richmond Valley solar farm and battery, expected to be the biggest of its kind in Australia.
Ark Energy said the 5.3.4.A/B letters confirm that the project meets Generator Performance Standards and has approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and transmission network service provider Transgrid to connect to the local 330 kV network via a planned switching station.
The Richmond Valley project is being built in phases but will eventually boast 500 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity and battery power capacity of up to 475 MW, with eight hours of storage, or 3,800 megawatt-hours (MWh).
The first phase of the project will consist of a 200 MW solar farm and a 275 MW/ 2,200 MWh BESS, with construction expected to get underway later this year.
Battery technology for the project will utilise lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry.
