The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the Australian HV grid operator Transgrid have awarded a grid-connection permit to Ark Energy’s Richmond Valley solar and storage project in New South Wales, Australia (Ark Energy press release, 05/06/2026). The hybrid system consists of a 435 MW solar facility with a 475 MW lithium-iron phosphate BESS that will store and dispatch solar power outside of daylight hours and during peak hours.
The AUD1.2bn (USD 845m) project is backed by a government-allocated Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) secured in 2023. Staged construction is scheduled to begin later in 2026, starting with a first phase of 200 MW of solar and 275 MW/2.2 GWh of storage. Once operational, the hybrid plant is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 175,000 homes annually.
Australia aims to reach an 82% share of renewables in the power mix and to reduce by 43% its carbon emissions compared to 2005 levels by 2030 (Enerdata’s Global Energy Research).
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