Pacific Blue Australia has begun construction on a $100 million, 60 MW / 130 MWh grid-scale battery at Clements Gap in South Australia. The project, the company’s first storage system, is set to begin operations in 2026.
Pacific Blue Australia’s First BESS at Clements Gap
Renewable energy company Pacific Blue Australia, owned by Chinese investors and formerly known as Pacific Hydro Australia, is building its first battery energy storage system (BESS). The 60 MW / 130 MWh grid-scale BESS will be co-located with Pacific Blue’s existing 56.7 MW wind farm in Clements Gap, South Australia.
By connecting to an existing substation, the project minimizes the need for new transmission infrastructure. This venture marks Pacific Blue Australia’s first major step into battery storage, with plans already underway for a second BESS at its Haughton Solar Farm in Queensland.
Domenic Capomolla, CEO of Pacific Blue Australia, described the Clements Gap BESS as a significant milestone for the company as it develops its 2 GW pipeline of capacity and energy storage solutions. He emphasized that this initiative will help support Australia’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Trina Solar and SMA Will Provide 130 MWh Battery
Integrating solar and battery storage to enhance grid stability and support Australia’s renewable energy transition.
China’s Trina Solar and Germany’s SMA Solar Technology will supply the 130 MWh system, which will consist of 50 lithium-ion battery containers. CEO Domenic Capomolla noted that battery energy storage is a critical piece of the puzzle for the state and the nation’s wider energy transition.
“Australia’s energy transition has predominantly focused on renewable energy generation. The missing piece is storing that energy and deploying it to support grid stability, which is a crucial component of the country’s renewable energy transition,” he said.
This stored energy can be released to the grid during peak demand, improving stability and helping South Australia meet its target of 100% net renewables by 2027.
Pacific Blue’s Renewable Portfolio
Pacific Blue’s current portfolio includes nine wind farms, two hydro plants, and Stage 1 of the Haughton Solar Farm near Townsville, Queensland. Upon completion, the Haughton farm will generate up to 500 MW, enough to power 291,000 homes. Stage 2 will add another 300 MW and include a battery energy storage system (BESS). The entire project connects directly to an existing 275 kV Powerlink transmission line.
The company has more than 2.5 GW of additional projects and energy storage solutions in its development pipeline. Among these are the 100 MW Daroobalgie Solar Farm near Forbes, NSW, which can power 34,000 homes annually, and the 240 MW Prairie Solar Farm in Victoria’s Loddon Shire, capable of supplying energy to 120,000 homes.
Pacific Blue Australia is owned by the State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) through its subsidiary, State Power Investment Overseas of China (SPIC Overseas). SPIC is one of China’s five major power generation groups and the world’s largest solar power generation enterprise.
Pacific Blue Australia’s investment in the Clements Gap BESS marks a significant step forward for Australia’s renewable energy landscape, supporting both local grid stability and the nation’s sustainability goals.
