A 19.8MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) is to be added to an existing solar-plus-storage facility in the Republic of Palau, with Australian development finance backing the expansion of one of the Western Pacific’s flagship hybrid renewable energy projects.

Pacific Green’s Portland Energy Park, Victoria’s largest BESS at 1GW/2.5GWh, has secured federal approval via Australia’s EPBC Act.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is providing a US$12 million grant as additional financing for 6MW of grid-connected solar PV combined with 3MW/12MWh of battery energy storage projects on the Cook Islands.