Genesis Energy Begins Construction on 200MWh Battery Energy Storage System in New Zealand
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Genesis Energy, a publicly listed energy company in New Zealand, has commenced construction on a significant battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 100MW/200MWh. The announcement was made on June 5, 2025, and the project will be situated at the Huntly Power Station, located in the Waikato region, which is home to New Zealand’s largest river and lake.
Huntly Power Station is the most extensive thermal power station in New Zealand, boasting a generation capacity of 1,200MW, making it the country’s primary electricity generation site. As previously reported by Energy-Storage.news, Saft has been chosen as the supplier for the BESS. Saft will deliver a complete turnkey solution, utilizing 70 of its ‘iShift’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery containers, along with integrated power conversion and control systems. The system is anticipated to be operational by the third quarter of 2026.
Malcolm Jones, CEO of Genesis Energy, emphasized that the BESS will play a critical role in providing backup support for the national grid during peak demand times, particularly during cold winter mornings and evenings. “We’ll be able to store electricity in the battery during periods of high generation and release it when it’s most needed,” Jones stated.
This project aligns with Genesis Energy’s Gen35 strategy, which aims to establish a 400MW system by 2035 at the Huntly Power Station. The current BESS is considered the first phase of this ambitious plan. Once operational, the BESS will mark Saft’s third utility-scale project in the New Zealand market. Notably, one of these projects includes a 100MW/200MWh system for state-owned Meridian Energy, set to be developed near Whangārei, New Zealand’s northernmost city.
Tracey Hickman, Chief Wholesale Officer at Genesis Energy, highlighted that Saft’s proven track record in delivering BESS projects within New Zealand contributed to their selection as the contractor for this project. The construction of the Huntly BESS follows Genesis Energy’s recent launch of what it claims is the country’s largest solar PV power plant: the 63MWp Lauriston site, located west of Christchurch on the South Island, near the Rakaia River in the Canterbury Plains. The site, traditionally used for agricultural purposes, will continue to support these practices under the concept of ‘agrivoltaics’ or ‘agriPV’.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/genesis-energy-starts-construction-of-100mw-200mwh-battery-storage-system-in-new-zealand/
