A major battery storage project near Bonshaw has changed hands as renewable energy investment accelerates across the New England region, with developers confirming the associated solar farm will still proceed.
Energy storage company Enervest this week announced it had acquired the proposed Northern Border Battery, a 300 megawatt Battery Energy Storage System planned north of Inverell on the NSW-Queensland border.
The battery project was originally part of the broader Bonshaw Energy Park being developed by Gaia, which includes a 200 megawatt solar farm currently under construction south of Bonshaw in Inverell Shire.
Gaia has confirmed the solar farm component will continue independently despite the battery acquisition.
The Bonshaw Solar Farm is being developed on 149 hectares of agricultural land about 16 kilometres south of Bonshaw and forms part of the growing pipeline of renewable energy projects emerging across northern NSW.
Enervest said the Northern Border Battery would become one of the company’s first major assets under its long-term own-and-operate strategy.
Strategically located near the Dumaresq substation on the NSW-Queensland border, the project already holds development approval and is progressing through the connection application process with Transgrid and the Australian Energy Market Operator.
Early works including site access and public intersection upgrades have already been completed, with construction of the battery facility expected to begin in early 2028.
Enervest CEO Ross Warby said the acquisition represented a significant milestone for the company and for Australia’s transition away from coal-fired generation.
“The acquisition of the Northern Border Battery represents a very significant milestone in Enervest’s long-term own-and-operate strategy and underscores our focus on attractive, high quality, investible projects that deliver lasting benefits,” Mr Warby said.
“With a strong foundation established, we’re now delivering this project at pace to enhance grid resilience and support the next phase of the National Electricity Market as legacy generation exits the system.”
Mr Warby said community engagement would remain a key focus as the project progressed.
“Community is at the heart of everything we do and we’re looking forward to listening to, and working closely with, Indigenous communities, local councils, and community groups to ensure the Enervest Northern Border Battery delivers lasting social, economic, and cultural outcomes for the region,” he said.
The project comes as Australia rapidly expands battery storage infrastructure ahead of the scheduled closure of major coal-fired power stations including Eraring in 2029.
Industry forecasts cited by Enervest suggest more than 27 gigawatts of grid-scale storage will be needed nationally by 2030 to support the energy transition.
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