Two battery energy storage systems (BESS) totalling 2,200MWh have been submitted to Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
Australian energy major Origin Energy has submitted plans for its Northern Tablelands wind-plus-storage site, whilst developer Eku Energy is seeking approval for its Byellee standalone BESS.
The EPBC Act, administered by the federal government, aims to protect nationally threatened species and ecological communities. A project must receive approval under the act before development can begin.
The 1,000MWh Northern Tablelands wind-plus-storage project
The Northern Tablelands Wind Farm project, located 18km northwest of Armidale in New South Wales, includes plans for a co-located 800MW/1,000MWh BESS alongside 76 wind turbines with a combined capacity of 638MW.
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Origin Energy’s project occupies a strategic position within the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). In July 2023, the company acquired the Warrane property specifically to host the development.
The Northern Tablelands development spans land historically used for cattle grazing since the 1830s, incorporating native woodland areas along ridgelines and slopes.
The facility’s location adjacent to key transmission infrastructure proposed by EnergyCo positions it to provide critical grid services and renewable energy firming capabilities for the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Several other BESS projects are being pursued within the New England REZ, such as Acen Australia’s 200MW/400MWh New England BESS, set to be co-located at the 720MW New England solar PV power plant, as well as ACE Power’s Eastern Hub Firming Battery, which could reach up to 8,000MWh.
The Northern Tablelands project’s battery storage component would deliver additional storage capacity to support grid stability and renewable energy integration across New South Wales.
Origin Energy has established a significant presence in Australia’s battery storage sector, through utility-scale projects such as the 700MW/2,800MWh Eraring battery currently under construction and a 300MW/650MWh facility at Mortlake in Victoria.
Eku Energy seeks approval for 1,200MWh BESS
Separately, Eku Energy’s 300MW/1,200MWh Byellee BESS, located near Gladstone in Central Queensland, has also been submitted to the EPBC Act.
The facility, formerly known as Calliope BESS, would connect directly to the Calliope River Substation, providing 4 hours of storage to assist with power fluctuations during peak demand periods.
The Byellee project’s positioning adjacent to the Calliope River substation enables direct connection to Queensland’s transmission network, supporting grid stability services across the state’s electricity system.
Eku Energy has emphasised the project’s role in accelerating the global energy transition through reliable energy storage solutions that provide cost-effective clean energy.
The Byellee project represents part of the Macquarie-backed energy storage specialist’s expanding Australian battery storage portfolio, which has grown through strategic acquisitions and development activities.
Eku Energy’s operational projects in Australia include the 150MW/150MWh Hazelwood and the 200MW/400MWh Rangebank battery storage projects in Victoria.
The company is currently constructing the 250MW/500MWh Williamsdale BESS in the Australian Capital Territory, with additional projects including the 300MW/1,200MWh Tramway Road BESS in Victoria and the 100MW/800MWh Griffith project in New South Wales advancing through development phases.
In June 2025, Eku Energy made headlines by entering the New Zealand market with the acquisition of a 300MW battery project in the Waikato region, marking the company’s first venture into the New Zealand energy storage market.
The project, acquired from Mercury Energy, will connect to Transpower’s Whakamaru substation and represents an expansion of Eku Energy’s Australasian portfolio.
The company has set ambitious targets for its global expansion, aiming for 9GWh of storage capacity by 2028. Eku Energy is jointly owned by Macquarie Asset Management and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation.
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