Approval for Australia’s Largest Solar Hybrid Project with 8-Hour Battery
Edify Energy has announced an ambitious project for a solar-battery hybrid facility in northern Victoria, which could potentially house the largest eight-hour battery installation in Australia. The proposed Nowingi solar power station will feature a 300 MW (ac) solar farm paired with an integrated battery system capable of storing up to 300 MW and 2,400 MWh of energy, marking a significant milestone in renewable energy development.
Solar hybrid projects are gaining traction due to their ability to store surplus solar energy on-site, allowing for continued power generation even during periods of low market prices. This stored energy can then be released into the grid during peak evening hours when electricity prices typically rise, maximising profitability.
Significance of the Nowingi Project
If approved as planned under the federal government’s EPBC Act, the Nowingi project would not only be the largest of its kind in Australia but would also feature the most extensive eight-hour battery system. It is set to compete with the partially constructed Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub for the title of the largest battery storage facility in Victoria, with both projects boasting a capacity of 2,400 MWh.
Located approximately 15km south of a 171MW solar farm being developed by Canadian firm Recurrent Energy and Raygen’s experimental 5MW solar thermal project, the Nowingi site is named after the surrounding bushland. Edify plans to construct a new substation to connect to a nearby 200 kV transmission line. This area, once considered unsuitable for solar and wind projects due to a weak grid—dubbed the “Rhombus of Regret”—has seen improvements in recent years.
Project Timeline and Community Engagement
Construction of the Nowingi facility is expected to take around 18 months, providing employment for up to 250 individuals, with hopes to commence work in 2026. Edify has been engaging with local residents since 2023, noting that there are no homes within a 4km radius of the proposed site.
In April, Edify received approval for its Burroway solar-battery energy storage system (BESS) in New South Wales, despite facing unusual opposition. Subsequently, in May, the developer submitted another solar-BESS project in NSW, which was quickly determined not to require referral.
Ecological Considerations
The 638-hectare Nowingi site features undulating sandy plains, home to various mallee bush species that thrive in the thin soil layer. The area has been flagged for its potential to support ten species listed under the EPBC Act, and Edify has noted its previous use for cropping in its referral documentation.
Among the notable wildlife in the region are the southern whiteface, brown treecreeper, malleefowl, south-eastern long-eared bat, red-lored whistler, regent parrots, Murray Mallee striated grasswren, major mitchell’s cockatoo, hooded robin, and Mallee emu-wren. An ecological assessment conducted in 2017 identified the regent parrot, south-eastern long-eared bat, malleefowl, and mallee emu-wren as present in the area.
As of now, Edify has yet to submit a development application to the state government.
