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 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Project has now been submitted to the Department and is on public exhibition for 28 days, from Friday 11 September 2026 to Friday 9 October 2026. Submissions can be made through the NSW Planning Portal: Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System | Planning Portal – Department of Planning and Environment

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Project Status

Planning Phase

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Capacity

Up to 400 MW / 800MWh

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Location

Aberdeen, New South Wales

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Site Area

Approximately 12 Hctares

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Connection

Existing 330kV Transgrid Infrastructure

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Estimated Completion

2029

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:

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Located within the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone

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Access to existing transmission infrastructure, reducing the need for extensive high-voltage cabling and visual impacts

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Land suitability (zoning, topography, existing land uses, limited vegetation removal required)

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Good access to the New England Highway

Aberdeen, New South Wales

Project Timeline

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Site Selection

Potential project sites identified and evaluated based on criteria such as proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, environmental impact & land use.

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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.

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Planning & Approvals

Preparing and submitting regulatory planning applications to relevant authorities. This phase includes comprehensive community consultation, environmental impact assessments and government agency engagement.

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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.

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Construction

Physical building of the project, including site preparation works, installation of equipment and connection to the grid.

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Commissioning

After construction, the project undergoes comprehensive testing to verify that all components function safely, reliably, and in compliance before the system becomes operational.

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Operation

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.

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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 Clean Energy has now submitted the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Project to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

The EIS is now on public exhibition for 28 days, from Friday 11 September 2026 to Friday 9 October 2026.

This is an opportunity for community stakeholders and government agencies to review the EIS and have their say on the project. All submissions must be made through the NSW Planning Portal: Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System | Planning Portal – Department of Planning and Environment

A summary of the EIS is available in our EIS Summary Booklet. Please note that this booklet is a brief, high level summary of the EIS package and was prepared for the community information sessions held in June 2026. Therefore, some of the information has since been updated and refined in the final EIS. Upper Hunter BESS: Environmental Impact Statement Summary Booklet

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