Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System
North Harbour Clean Energy recognises the Wonnarua people as the traditional custodians of the land on which this project is located.
Project Overview
The Upper Hunter BESS Project was originally developed by Maizewood Pty Ltd. Maizewood Pty Ltd was acquired by North Harbour Clean Energy in July 2024, and since then, the Upper Hunter BESS Project has been owned and managed by North Harbour Clean Energy.
The proposed Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be capable of providing a power/ capacity of 400MW/800MWh, providing up to 2 hours of energy storage to power approximately 480,000 homes. Located in Aberdeen, NSW, the BESS will connect to the existing transmission network and will contribute significantly to the surrounding area by improving energy reliability, reducing energy costs, fostering economic growth and supporting Australia’s transition to net-zero emissions.
Planning and Environmental Approvals
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (Department) has provided the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs). To view the SEARs for the project, please visit the Department’s Major Projects portal.
Project Status
Planning Phase
Capacity
Up to 400 MW / 800MWh
Location
Aberdeen, New South Wales
Site Area
Approximately 12 Hctares
Connection
Existing 330kV Transgrid Infrastructure
Estimated Completion
2026
Site Selection
The site (see map below) was chosen with a focus on minimising the impacts on the environment and the local community. Key advantages include:
Located within the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone
Access to existing transmission infrastructure, reducing the need for extensive high-voltage cabling and visual impacts
Land suitability (zoning, topography, existing land uses, limited vegetation removal required)
Good access to the New England Highway
Aberdeen, New South Wales
Project Timeline
Development - Site Selection
Potential project sites identified and evaluated based on criteria such as proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, environmental impact & land use.
Development - Feasibility
Detailed assessment of technical, economic and environmental viability of the projects – including grid capacity, financial modelling, planning and legal due diligence and risk analysis.
Development - Planning & Approvals
Preparing and submitting regulatory planning applications to relevant authorities. This phase includes comprehensive community consultation, environmental impact assessments and government agency engagement.
Development - Pre-construction
If the project receives regulatory approval, this process includes finalizing the detailed design, preparing management plans, securing contractors and arranging logistics in preparation for the physical commencement of construction.
Development - Construction
Physical building of the project, including site preparation works, installation of equipment and connection to the grid.
Development - Commissioning
After construction, the project undergoes comprehensive testing to verify that all components function safely, reliably, and in compliance before the system becomes operational.
Development - COperation
When the project passes the commissioning stage, it can become operational providing energy storage and discharge as required by the grid. Monitoring and maintenance are ongoing in this stage to ensure efficiency and safety.
Development - Decommissioning
At the end of the project’s operational life, the project will be safely dismantled and the site restored. In this stage project components and equipment are recycled or disposed of in line with environmental and regulatory requirements and the site is restored to pre-development condition.
Community Engagement
North Harbour are very interested in talking to members of the community who have an interest in energy storage or would like to provide feedback on the project. We will be engaging with relevant local and state government agencies, local residents and community group representatives as we develop the Environmental Impact Statement and progress the project design, to better understand community views and perspectives.
You can provide feedback on the proposed development via an online survey – it will take less than 5 minutes to complete.
You can also download a copy of the latest Community Information Sheet distributed to the community in March 2025.
If you would like to receive more information on the project or meet with members of our project team please contact us at details provided.
Project resources
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more or meet with members of our project teams, please contact us.
Daniel Walsh
Director, Delivery
+61 2 9137 4142
Casey Joshua
Director, Planning and Stakeholder Engagement
+61 2 9137 4142
info@northharbourpl.com