Genesis Energy has reached a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the development of the second stage of its BESS programme at the Huntly Power Station in New Zealand (Genesis Energy press release, 19/04/2026). The expansion plans to add 100 MW/200 MWh of BESS capacity to the power plant that already has an equal installed capacity, to reach a total installed capacity of 200 MW/400 MWh, enough to power 120,000 homes for two hours. The project should be cost-efficient thanks to the existing land, infrastructure, and grid connection, along with the shared plant from the first stage of the programme. Construction works are scheduled for the second quarter of 2027 to start commercial operations by the third quarter of 2028.
The expansion is part of Genesis Energy’s NZD2bn (USD1.2bn) Gen35 strategy, that seeks to support growing customer demand for electricity, displace baseload gas generation, and strengthen electricity security.