Alinta Energy Initiates Development of South Australia’s Largest Battery Energy Storage System

Alinta Energy Approves Development of South Australia’s Largest BESS Project
========================================================================

By George Heynes
July 1, 2025

Energy generator and retailer Alinta Energy has officially approved the first stage of its Reeves Plains Energy Hub, which will feature a battery energy storage system (BESS) in South Australia. This initial phase will include the installation of a 250MW/1,000MWh BESS, designed for a 4-hour duration. A subsequent phase aims to expand capacity to 500MW/2,000MWh, establishing it as the largest BESS in South Australia and one of the largest in the entire country.

Currently, the largest BESS in South Australia is the Blyth BESS, operated by French independent power producer Neoen Australia, which has a capacity of 238.5MW/477MWh and began commissioning last month. This underscores the rapid growth of battery storage technology in the region.

### Strategic Location and Purpose

The Reeves Plains Energy Hub is situated 60 km north of Adelaide, adjacent to a proposed 300MW gas-fired power station that will be part of the hub. Alinta Energy has stated that the BESS will “provide a backup for renewables as coal-fired generation retires” in the state. South Australia’s energy storage sector is expanding significantly due to its strong renewable energy capabilities. Notably, the state operated on over 100% renewable energy from August 26 to September 1, 2024, as it transitioned from winter to spring.

### Construction Timeline and Implementation

GenusPlus Group has been selected as the principal contractor for the Reeves Plains BESS. The company has also been involved in constructing the 400MWh Merredin BESS in Western Australia. Alinta Energy’s Chief Development Officer, Andres Maasing, emphasized that this appointment marks a shift from planning to actual construction of energy storage solutions. “Early works are underway, procurement is well advanced, and the site is being prepared for the build. We’re also engaging with neighbors and the community regarding the implications of construction,” said Maasing.

Construction is slated to commence in early 2026, with the first stage expected to be operational by 2028.

### Technical Specifications

The Reeves Plains BESS will consist of 194 battery units provided by CATL, a leading battery manufacturer headquartered in China. CATL has previously supplied several BESS assets in Australia, including the 2,000MWh Collie BESS in Western Australia. Recently, CATL was recognized as one of the AAA-rated energy storage suppliers in PV Tech Research’s latest Battery StorageTech Bankability Ratings report. The BESS will also feature 89 inverters from Power Electronics, alongside supporting infrastructure and vegetation screening.

### Growing Energy Storage Needs

The South Australian government is preparing to release a new long-duration energy storage (LDES) tender, seeking projects with a minimum output of 30MW and at least 8 hours of storage duration. This initiative underscores the critical role of BESS technology in the state’s energy future. The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has projected that South Australia may begin to experience reliability gaps starting in 2026-27, highlighting the urgent need for additional energy storage investments. Projects like Alinta’s BESS are expected to play a vital role in addressing these challenges.