Orana BESS

Current

2024 – 2026

Wellington, NSW

Akaysha plans to construct a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) near Wellington in central-west NSW named the Orana BESS. This facility will boast a capacity of 415MW and store 4 hours’ worth of energy, totalling 1660MWh. Construction preparations are underway, including road upgrades at the site access intersection. The Orana BESS is intended to bolster capacity within the Central-Orana Renewable Energy Zone

415MW/ 1660MWh

BESS CAPACITY

90,000

HOMES POWERED PER DAY

448x

TELSA 2XL MEGAPACKS

330/33/33kV 250MVA

POWER TRANSFORMERS

112x

4.6 MVA STEP-UP TRANSFORMERS

LITHIUM-ION

BATTERIES INSTALLED

Overview

A large-scale BESS is beginning construction near Wellington in central-west NSW. Known as the Orana BESS, it has a capacity of 400MW, and provides up to 8 hours or 1660MWh of energy storage, delivered in two stages. The proposed site lies approximately 2km north-east of Wellington, adjacent to TransGrid’s 330kV zone substation. Spanning an area of ~10 hectares, the battery storage system occupies land adjacent to the electricity grid and shares a boundary with the TransGrid substation, aiming to reduce the need for high voltage power lines and visual impacts.

The Orana BESS Project aims to strategically enhance the Central-West Orana REZ, supporting the transition to increased renewable energy. It aligns with NSW’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap to shift from coal-fired energy, stabilizes electricity supply, lowers wholesale prices, and fosters local economic growth through job creation and economic stimulus.

The project includes permanent operations and maintenance facility with staff amenities, vehicle parking, maintenance area, and spare parts storage. The expected operational life of the Project is nominally 40 years.

CPP Scope of Works

EPC of Substation:
Two 330/33kV Power Transformers (250/125/125MVA).
Civil, electrical, and mechanical works for a 415MW/1660MWh BESS.
Installation and connection of 448 TESLA Megapack 2XL.

Detail Design:
Civil, structural, drainage, primary plant, and secondary system designs.

Civil Works:
Upgrade of public road intersection at the site entrance. Site setup, earthworks, drainage, earth grid, conduits, BESS equipment footings, fencing, substation, and building foundations.

Electrical Installation:
Supply and install power transformers, Ring Main Units, 330kV/33kV equipment, steel structures, busbars, control systems, control & switchgear buildings, and various cables.

BESS Electrical and Mechanical Installation:
Install TESLA Megapacks, RMUs, MV transformers, 33kV switchgear, and cables.

330kV Underground Cable Works:
Civil works for cable installation, supply and install 330kV cables, terminations, and testing.

Testing Works:
CPP to conduct pre-commissioning for HV Substation and BOP.