Akaysha is proposing to deploy a large-scale BESS near Wellington in central-west NSW. Known as the Orana BESS, it will have a capacity of 400MW and provide up to 8 hours or 1660MWh of energy storage, delivered in up to two stages. Akaysha is consulting with the community, completing environmental surveys for planning approval and proceed with the connection process. The Orana BESS will support capacity in the Central -Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

The Site

The proposed site is approximately 2km north-east of Wellington, adjacent to TransGrid’s 330kV zone substation as depicted below. 

The BESS will occupy an area of ~10 hectares adjacent to the electricity grid and sharing a boundary with the TransGrid substation, this will reduce the need for high voltage power lines and visual impacts.

Why Wellington

Wellington is located on a robust part of the TransGrid 330kV transmission system and within the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) which is expected to host 3,000MW of new wind and solar generation.  As conventional power plants retire over the next decade, batteries will play an increasingly important role in managing security of supply and addressing the intermittency of renewables, especially in areas of high-penetration such as the REZ.

Development Approval

On December 22 2023 the Orana BESS was granted Infrastructure Approval (SSD 45242780) by the NSW Minister for Planning. Following this approval, Akaysha Energy has begun an extensive consultation process with key project stakeholders to develop Management Plans appropriate to the Orana BESS project.

Environmental Impact Assessment documents:

Environmental Impact Strategy View

Appendix A SEARS cross reference View

Appendix B Community Engagement Strategy View

Appendix C Consultation evidence View

Appendix E1 Biodiversity Development Assessment Report V1.0 View

Appendix E2 Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Report View

Appendix E3 Traffic Impact Assessment Report View

Appendix E4 Preliminary Hazard Analysis View

Appendix E5 Visual Impact Assessment View

Appendix E6 Noise and Vibration Assessment View

Appendix E7 Hydrology Peer Review View

Appendix E8 Social Impact Assessment View

Post Approvals View