Pacific Green has secured planning consent from the South Australian government for the development of its first two large-scale battery energy parks in the Limestone Coast region.

Limestone Coast Energy Park assets will feature a 500MW/1.5GWh (gigawatt hours) battery energy storage system (BESS) and will be developed in two phases up to 2027.

Pacific Green aims to enhance grid stability in the region.

The company has conducted extensive environmental, technical and heritage assessments, alongside targeted stakeholder and community consultations, to ensure minimal local impact during the approval process.

Construction will begin in late 2024 with the first phase operational by the second half of 2026.

The Limestone Coast Energy Parks are part of an 8.5GWh development pipeline of battery energy parks that Pacific Green is planning to deploy across Australia.

Pacific Green Australia managing director and CEO Joel Alexander said: “This is a major milestone for the Limestone Coast Energy Park assets, and we are pleased that the South Australian government has recognised the rigorous assessment and community consultation work we have undertaken to date.

“We look forward to re-engaging with the local community to maximise the tangible economic benefits of the Limestone Coast Energy Parks and to ensure funding and local contracting opportunities are open to all relevant groups.

“This is a positive and exciting start to an exceptional pipeline of Australian projects to come.”

In November 2023, Pacific Green purchased a 51% stake via its Italian subsidiary in five BESS projects in Italy from Sphera Energy.

The acquired portfolio has a total capacity of 500MW/2.8GWh.