Bess power New Zealand

Is a 'Bess' being built in New Zealand?

In February, Meridian reaffirmed that a BESS of “at least 100MW” is being planned for construction in combination with a utility-scale solar farm at Ruākākā Energy Park, a development adjacent to Marsden Point oil refinery, also in the far north of New Zealand.

How much does a Bess project cost in New Zealand?

Expected project costs cited by WEL Networks chief executive Garth Dibley at the time were about NZ$25 million (US$17.13 million). The BESS will provide fast reserve ancillary services to the local grid, as well as providing backup power in the event of emergencies.

What can New Zealand do to improve energy resilience?

WEL Networks and Infratec said they are actively pursuing other opportunities to enhance resilience and increase access to renewable energy in the region. New Zealand currently has a couple of 1MW battery storage systems in operation, but certainly nothing on the scale of the BESS in Huntly.

What is a Bess & how will it work?

The BESS will help integrate growing shares of renewable energy from variable wind and solar PV generation, while also providing fast reserve ancillary services to the grid. WEL Networks and Infratec said they are actively pursuing other opportunities to enhance resilience and increase access to renewable energy in the region.

What does Bess stand for?

Project stakeholders attend a blessing event to mark the start of construction in August 2022. Image: WEL Networks. Electric power distribution company WEL Networks and developer Infratec have launched their grid-connected battery energy storage system (BESS) in New Zealand.

Is a 35mw/35mwh storage system being built in New Zealand?

The two companies said last Friday (20 October) that their 35MW/35MWh project, in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s Upper North Island, has entered the commissioning phase. Infratec general manager Nick Bibby said that the storage system is “the first of its scale to be built in New Zealand”.