“The greater Lithgow region has contributed to powering NSW for nearly 70 years,” said Greenspot CEO Brett Hawkins. “As the economy decarbonizes, and new energy technologies are adopted, it is critically important that strategies are implemented to attract a range of new businesses to areas like Lithgow which have traditionally relied heavily on coal-based industry.”

Shell Energy chief executive officer Greg Joiner emphasized the importance of battery energy storage within the energy transition, as it is a key asset for supporting renewable generation and “contributing to improved reliability for the grid and consumers.”

Greenspot obtained development approval for the BESS, which will connect to the adjacent 330kV Wallerawang Substation, which has historically facilitated the transmission of coal-fired electricity generation to the grid.

“Proximity to the high-voltage transmission network, access to major road, rail transport and significant existing and proposed water infrastructure, and proximity to high-integrity data networks, makes the Wallerawang site highly competitive to attract the investment needed to propel the local economy forward,” added Hawkins.

Originally published at Smart Energy International.