The projects currently underway are NE BESS HV Works, NE BESS, and NES2 HV Works. EPC Contractor ICN Gateway pages for these projects will be available soon and linked here.
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.
For further details visit www.newenglandsolar.com.au
How to register an Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Work packages currently available to submit an EOI for are listed in the 'Work Packages' tab above. Refer to the 'EOI User Guide' below for instructions and assistance to submit an EOI.
- To submit an initial EOI for the work packages, companies must have a Gateway by ICN company profile. Information on how to register your company on Gateway is detailed below.
Gateway by ICN Company Registration
- Click here to register your company profile on Gateway by ICN.
- Support and assistance are available through the document 'Gateway Profile Guide' below.
- Your company summary and company description are used to assess your ability to complete projects when you lodge an EOI - please ensure that your company invests the time and energy required to represent your company in the most effective manner possible.
Register to receive updates for New England Solar as the project progresses.
Note: You can fill out an Expression of Interest form exclusively on a computer or laptop device.