Wollar Battery Energy Storage System Project

A proposed increase in battery storage size at Wollar Solar Farm

Location

Wollar, 55km from Mudgee NSW

Progress

Investigations and Planning

Network

TransGrid

About the Project

Wollar Solar Farm received development consent in 2020, which included approval for a 30MW/30MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

Wollar Solar Development is investigating a potential increase in this BESS size to 280 megawatts (MW) with two hours of storage (280MW/560MWh).

The BESS would connect to TransGrid’s Wollar West substation via underground cabling from Wollar Solar Farm.

This potential increase in size is due to changing energy demands, with the increased battery storage giving the opportunity to provide firming power to the energy network during peak periods while remaining within the existing Wollar Solar Farm development area. This increased firming power would help to maintain reliability for the energy network, providing clean, renewable energy to the grid. This helps to support the Australian and NSW government’s commitment to delivering more reliable green energy as part of its renewable energy and net zero targets.

Wollar Solar is committed to ensuring that the local community are informed throughout the investigation and planning process, and welcome feedback or questions.

Project Design and Location

The BESS is proposed to be built on the Wollar Solar Farm site, located near Barigan Road, Wollar, approximately 55km from Mudgee. The proposed site will be on land within the existing development footprint that has already been cleared for construction activities. Due to this, there will be no increased heritage, biodiversity or ecological impacts.

Project Timeline

Construction of the BESS is anticipated to begin after construction of the Wollar Solar Farm is completed in early 2025.

Stage 1

Initial discussions with stakeholders, such as Mid-Western Regional Council, Transport for NSW, and the local Rural Fire Service. Specialist reports will be prepared to address specific areas by relevant experts

Once technical and feasibility studies have been completed, a decision will be made by Wollar Solar Development whether to proceed with lodging a BESS modification application

Should an application be made to modify the existing development consent, further consultation opportunities will be provided for members of the community and other stakeholders on the application, which will include all relevant specialist’s reports and plans.

Financial Close and Construction

Operations

Decommissioning

Engagement with community and key stakeholders

September 2024

Planned DA submission

October 2024

Connection application submission

December 2024

Connection Approval

June 2025

Construction commenced

December 2025

Operations

August 2027

Note that all dates above are indicative and subject to change

Artist impression

What is a BESS?

A Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS for short, helps to capture and store energy from energy sources for use at a later time.

The system stores excess energy at times when there is sufficient power produced from other means – such as during the day when solar panels at large scale solar farms and on rooftops are sending energy into the grid – and releases the stored energy into the grid when energy production is lower, such as at night when solar panels are not capturing energy, or at peak times when more energy is needed.

BESS projects, like the one proposed, are an essential part of the Australian and NSW Government’s plan to transition to renewable energy, as they will provide ‘firming’ power to the grid during peak times and when wind and solar resources are low.

FAQs

What measures will be implemented to respond to fire risks?

A specialist consultant has been engaged to provide a Preliminary Hazards Analysis which will be submitted for approval to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

A range of safeguards will be put in place, such as gas detection and suppression, and fire suppression within each battery block.

The BESS would be designed to include a two-hour fire resistance rating, a fire alarm system and an automatic sprinkler system. Other safeguards will include emergency stop, ground fault detection, overcurrent protection and a Battery Management System (BMS).

Risk mitigation strategies considered in selecting the site for the BESS include a ten-metre-wide Asset Protection Zone (APZ), provision of fire safety separation distances and four-metre-wide internal roads suitable for emergency access.

We will  work with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) to ensure that our Bushfire Management Plan is suitable for the local conditions, and this will be updated as needed through the construction and operations phase of the BESS project.

Is the Wollar BESS safe?

Safety is the number one focus of Wollar Solar Farm. As part of our investigations to expanding the size of the Wollar BESS project we will ensure that all potential risks are identified, thoroughly considered and appropriately addressed. The safety of our employees and the community surrounding the project is of the utmost importance to us. We will ensure that all aspects of the BESS design, construction, operation and maintenance meets all NSW Government safety regulations as well as national standards.

Our emergency management plans will also be developed in consultation with the RFS to ensure that any potential risks are identified and mitigated. Management plans will be developed prior to construction commencing including an emergency response plan, fire safety study and a Work, Health, Safety and Environmental management plan.

 

What measures are being put in place to stop chemicals from the battery entering local waterways or soil?

The equipment and systems will be designed and tested to comply with the relevant international standards and guidelines. Equipment will be procured from reputable suppliers and designs reviewed by independent engineers.

The battery cells will have a pod and external casing and be contained within a cabinet or container which will include fault detection systems. Spill kits will be readily available and easily accessible onsite and will contain dry absorbent material that staff will be trained to use.

What will the impact be on local roads, during construction and once operational?

We expect that the number of vehicle movements throughout the construction of the BESS would be less than half of those estimated during construction of the Wollar Solar Farm . We will work with Transport for NSW to ensure that a suitable Traffic Management Plan is in place to reduce the impact on the local road network.

Will the BESS produce noise once operating, and how loud would it be?

The noise produced by the BESS is primarily from the cooling fans in each container, which are essential to control the temperature within the individual BESS cells. However, there would be no additional noise impacts to the broader community compared to the solar farm itself.

 

Will the BESS be visible from nearby roads and houses?

There will be no additional visual impact from the BESS compared to the wider solar farm.

 

What will the impact be to cultural heritage at the site?

There is no expected additional impact to cultural heritage sites with the construction of the BESS project. All identified heritage items have been removed from the Wollar Solar Farm site prior to construction of the solar farm commencing. Registered Aboriginal Parties have also been kept informed about the investigation of a potential increase in BESS size, and we will continue to work with them throughout the finalisation of the modification and construction of the BESS.

 

What happens to the BESS when it reaches the end of its design life?

The design life for a BESS of the size proposed is approximately 20 years. We will include within the planning of the project an assessment of potential waste management options in the nearby area. We are committed to working with suppliers to maximise the end of design life options for batteries, such as recycling or repurposing suitable parts.

How many people would be employed to construct the BESS?

At the peak of construction of the Wollar BESS we expect a total site workforce of around 100 people. Once the BESS enters operations, a smaller site team of up to 10 will remain to manage both the day-to-day operations of the BESS and the wider solar farm.

 

How will you ensure the workforce doesn’t impact on local housing supply?

We are committed to working with local Council to develop an Accommodation Strategy that will not add pressure on the local housing and tourism accommodation supply.  A detailed accommodation strategy will be prepared prior to submitting the modification development application.

What will construction hours be?

Construction activities at site will be limited to Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, and Saturday 8am to 1pm, unless otherwise permitted under the project approval.

 

How long will construction take?

We expect that construction will take approximately 20 months in total.

How will the local community benefit from the construction of the Wollar BESS?

The construction of the Wollar BESS will provide benefit to the local community through a focus on local employment wherever possible, and a commitment to using local contractors and suppliers throughout both construction and operations.

Construction of the BESS will also provide support in firming the electricity grid and will provide renewable energy into the surrounding community and the wider NSW energy market.

Wollar Solar has also implemented a community Sponsorship Program, which provides funding to local community groups and initiatives with the aim of bettering the lives of those living in the vicinity of the solar farm. To date, this program has provided more than $40,000 in funding to a range of community groups and programs. We intend to further boost this program with the construction of the Wollar BESS project. We encourage the community to share their thoughts and suggestions on local causes and initiatives that are important to them that could be supported,  which will enhance the lives of those living in the area.

Who is Wollar Solar Development?

Wollar Solar was purchased in 2021 by BJEI Australia. Alongside sister company, BJCE Australia, the company has an interest in 565MW of clean energy assets in NSW. BJEI Australia aims to build a 3GW portfolio of clean energy assets by 2025, and 6 GW by 2030.

What is a megawatt hour?

A megawatt hour, or MWh, equals to 1,000 kilowatts of electricity used continuously for one hour. The proposed Wollar BESS project would provide enough storage at full capacity (280MW) for two continuous hours (560MWh).

Where will the energy stored at the Wollar BESS go?

The energy stored at Wollar BESS will provide support in firming the electricity grid and will provide power into the surrounding community and the wider NSW energy grid. The energy will be released into the electricity grid through the Wollar West substation.

Why have you decided to investigate a larger BESS size?

While Wollar Solar Farm has received development approval to construct a 30MW/30MWh BESS, changing energy needs in NSW and Australia, alongside continued new developments in BESS technology, means that an increased BESS size has the potential to be commercially viable, deliver greater benefits to the national energy grid and would be suitable for the Wollar site without increasing the impact on ecology, biodiversity and heritage.

How can I find out more information or ask questions?

We welcome questions from the community. Please submit your enquiry via the contact form on this page, email info@wollarsolar.com.au or call 1800 700 743 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week; please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible).

Contact us

Have questions about the Wollar BESS project?

We encourage questions from the local community, including local businesses who may be interested in working with us, or people wishing to learn more about employment opportunities. You can also register to receive our newsletters, which will include updates about the progress of the Wollar BESS project.

Please use the Contact Us form on this page, email us at info@wollarsolar.com.au or call our hotline on 1800 700 743 (24 hours, 7 days a week).