In this interview with Energy-Storage.news, Colin Koon Peng Ho of Banpu NEXT explains why policy certainty now outweighs cost in APAC battery storage investment decisions, and discusses regulatory barriers, supply chain localisation and the most attractive BESS opportunities.

South Australia’s SA1 trading region reached the NEM AU$20,300/MWh price cap twice during the evening of 21 June.

Developer BLT Energy has received development approval for the 800MW/4,800MWh Red Gully BESS in Western Australia.

Energy storage developer Eku Energy has submitted two BESS, each sized at 300MW and 1,200MWh, for assessment under Australia’s EPBC Act.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) in Australia has set out its requirements for lithium-ion battery storage rooms and diesel generator structures in data centres.

Neoen Australia has signed virtual battery agreements with energy retailers Nectr and SmartestEnergy for Stages 2 and 3 of the Western Downs Battery in Queensland.

Wärtsilä spinning out its energy storage activities and divesting a 50% stake this week reflects difficulties in making the business profitable and synergistic within the wider group activities, analysts said.

SECI is inviting bids for 4,800MWh of firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) capacity supported by co-located energy storage.

Around 4.9GW/14.6GWh of large-scale BESS came online in May, with a much more balanced regional breakdown than usual.

Developers of battery storage projects across Southeast Asia must heed lessons learned elsewhere and engage with key stakeholders as early as possible, Energy-Storage.news has heard.