Meridian Energy’s Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the first large-scale grid battery storage facility in New Zealand, has been completed and was officially inaugurated during a ceremony today (Friday, 23 May).
Situated south of Whangārei, the BESS commenced in the first quarter of 2023 and has been successfully completed within the project’s initial $186 million budget.
The system delivers a maximum output of 100 MW and has a storage capacity of 200 MWh, sufficient to supply electricity to approximately 60,000 average households for two hours during winter.
“This BESS is a new and exciting addition to our asset portfolio. It gives us the ability to load shift between price periods, smooth out peak periods, provide greater resilience to Northland and enable Meridian to participate in the North Island electricity reserves market,” Meridian’s general manager of development, Guy Waipara, said.
While construction and commissioning have been completed, several steps remain before the BESS becomes fully operational, including the approval of the final commissioning test results.
Meridian will also proceed with building the 130 MW Ruakākā Solar Farm, which is set to begin in August.
The solar farm and the BESS together will form Meridian’s Ruakākā Energy Park.
“There is a tremendous amount going on across the industry to ensure Kiwi homes and businesses continue to have all the electricity they need at prices that continue to be internationally competitive,” Waipara said.
The company also has four additional projects that have already received consent, including another BESS in Manawatū, with several more currently advancing through the consenting stages.
Besides Manawatū, Meridian plans to integrate battery storage into several upcoming solar farm developments.