ENGIE is supercharging South Australia’s clean-energy transition, kicking off construction of a grid-scale battery at Pelican Point in South Australia. The Pelican Point BESS is global renewable energy company ENGIE’s latest Australian investment. The modern grid is set to harness both cutting-edge storage technology and upgraded thermal assets to deliver secure and affordable power.
The 200 MW (megawatt) /400 MWh (megawatt-hour) Pelican Point Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be built adjacent to the 489 MW Pelican Point Power Station, which recently converted one of its units to open-cycle operation. The upgrade enables faster starts and steeper ramp rates, ensuring the site can respond quickly to changing market conditions and complement the growing share of variable renewable energy across the grid.
Laura Caspari, Managing Director of Renewables and Batteries at ENGIE Australia, shares that co-locating batteries with existing or former thermal sites is emerging as an effective strategy for accelerating Australia’s energy transition.
“Developing BESS projects at our sites leverages existing infrastructure, minimises environmental impacts, and ensures we can deliver reliable, flexible energy solutions at speed,” she said.
“This supports the rapid integration of renewables and creates future-ready energy hubs.”
Once operational in the second half of 2027, the battery will be capable of storing and discharging enough energy to power more than 29,400 average South Australian homes.
Alongside ENGIE’s wind farms, retail customers and expanding renewable development pipeline, the project strengthens South Australia’s position as a core operating state for the company.
Laying the groundwork for longer-term investment in the region, construction of the BESS is expected to create around 250 jobs. ENGIE has also committed up to $30,000 annually to a new Community Benefit Fund for the life of the asset, developed in partnership with local stakeholders to ensure enduring contributions to the surrounding community.
ENGIE invests more than €10 billion each year towards a carbon-neutral economy. With 98,000 employees across 30 countries, the group spans the full energy value chain. This includes renewables and green gas, batteries, networks and retail supply.