Genesis Energy Begins Construction on 200MWh BESS in New Zealand
By George Heynes
June 6, 2025
Genesis Energy, a publicly listed energy company in New Zealand, has officially commenced construction of a 100MW/200MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) on the North Island. The company announced that the construction began on June 5 at the Huntly Power Station, which is located in Waikato—home to the largest river and lake in the country.
Huntly Power Station is New Zealand’s largest thermal power facility, boasting a generation capacity of 1,200MW, making it the primary electricity generation site in the nation. As previously reported by Energy-Storage.news, Saft has been chosen as the supplier for the BESS. Saft will deliver a complete turnkey solution for the Huntly BESS, utilizing 70 of its ‘iShift’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery containers, along with power conversion and control systems. The system is expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2026.
Malcolm Jones, CEO of Genesis Energy, stated that the BESS will play a crucial role in providing backup power to the national grid during periods of peak demand, particularly during cold winter mornings and evenings. “We’ll be able to store electricity in the battery during times of high generation and release it when it’s most needed,” Jones explained. He also emphasized that the BESS is part of the company’s Gen35 strategy, which aims to develop a 400MW system by 2035 at the Huntly Power Station, viewing this project as the initial phase of that plan.
This BESS will mark Saft’s third entry into the utility-scale BESS market in New Zealand. One of its previous projects includes a 100MW/200MWh system provided to Meridian Energy, set to be established near Whangārei, New Zealand’s northernmost city. Tracey Hickman, chief wholesale officer at Genesis Energy, noted that Saft’s successful track record in delivering BESS projects in New Zealand influenced their decision to partner with them.
The construction of the Huntly BESS follows Genesis Energy’s recent opening of what it claims is the largest solar PV power plant in the country: the 63MWp Lauriston site, located west of Christchurch on the South Island, near the Rakaia River. This site, traditionally used for agricultural purposes, particularly sheep grazing, will continue to support these practices through what is known as ‘agrivoltaics’ or ‘agriPV’.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/genesis-energy-initiates-construction-of-200mwh-battery-storage-system-in-new-zealand/
