The battery energy Potentia Energy’s battery energy storage Potentia Energy’s battery energy storage project, located outside Port Augusta, becomes the first BESS under the HRE Act to be approved in South Australia. The 225 megawatt, 900 MWh capacity Emeroo BESS facility becomes the first environmentally approved system under the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy (HRE) Act.
With an estimated investment of US$400 million, the facility is located next to the Bungala solar park, facilitating its integration with the grid and strengthening the region’s renewable infrastructure. The project has been validated through the Environmental Objectives Statement (SEO), a key requirement of the HRE legislation in force since July last year.
Approval of BESS under HRE Act strengthens renewable energy momentum
The approval obtained by Potentia Energy marks an achievement in the implementation of the HRE, a legislation created to mandate the development of renewable renewable projects in strategic territories. This law applies to all infrastructures exceeding 5 MW and seeks to guarantee environmental, social and cultural standards in their deployment.
This validation demonstrates the joint commitment to an effective and responsible energy transition.
Werther Esposito, the company’s chief executive officer, noted.
Prospects for clean energy in the region
The South Australian Government has reiterated its target of achieving 100% net renewable generation by 2027. The Minister for Energy and Mining, Tom Koutsantonis, underlined the strategic role that BESS systems play on that path, and positioned the state as a benchmark in energy regulation.
In addition to Emeroo, Potentia Energy has two other projects under development: Blanche (125 MW) and Harrogate (270 MW), which also conform to the new regulatory framework and are in advanced planning stages.
The construction of Emeroo BESS is scheduled to start in 2026, with operation projected to begin in 2028, consolidating a concrete step towards a cleaner electricity grid. cleaner, more robust and decentralizedrobust and decentralized electricity grid in South Australia.
Source and photo: Potentia Energy
