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Banpu Energy Australia has owned and operated Manildra Solar Farm since 2021. It supplies 55.9 MW of clean, green energy to Energy Australia. To support the reliability and security of the national electricity market, large-scale batteries are becoming increasingly important to store excess solar and wind for use during times of high demand.
The Manildra Battery Energy Storage System would include the installation of lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of up to 60 MW with up to four hours storage duration. The batteries would be housed in units similar in appearance to shipping containers. It is proposed that they will be a modification to existing solar farm.
60 MW
Energy Production
240 MWh
Up to 4 hours
Li-Ion
Battery Storage
80+
Construction Jobs
Timeline
We are here
Manildra Solar Farm is currently operational.
Q4 2025
Submit modification report & public exhibition to Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure (DPHI)
Q1 2026
Prepare and Lodge Submissions Report
2027
Following 18 months construction, the Manildra Solar Farm Mod 3 is complete and operational (if approved)
2025
2026
2027
Q3 2025
Prepare modification report providing information on economic, environmental & social impacts
H1 2026
Notice of determination issued which includes requirements for how project is built & operated.
Project Details
Up to 60 MW / 240 MWh lithium battery energy storage project with a 25 year operational life
Energy storage containers and electrical infrastructure to be installed as a modification to existing solar farm.
Connected to Essential Energy’s Manildra substation, providing power for up to 40,000 additional homes
Stakeholders
The BESS will store up to 1,000 MWh of energy, contributing to grid reliability and supplying enough electricity to power up to 100,000 homes
Community
Power supply for Orange and surrounds 25 year operational life. There will be up to 250 jobs during peak construction and 5 full-time jobs during operation.
Environment
A renewable energy source, Banpu Energy's BESS will play a key role in decarbonising the energy sector and supporting Australia’s net-zero goals.
