Ark Energy has achieved a major milestone for its Richmond Valley Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in New South Wales (NSW), securing a grid connection permit from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and transmission network operator Transgrid.
The approval clears the way for the 435 MW solar project, which will be paired with a large-scale battery energy storage system, to connect to the local 330-kV transmission network through a new substation. The project will supply electricity to Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).
Located near Rappville in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, the Richmond Valley Solar & BESS project is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately 175,000 homes each year. The facility will combine a 435 MW solar farm with a 475 MW/3,148 MWh lithium iron phosphate battery system designed to store excess solar energy and deliver power to the grid during evening hours and periods of peak demand.
Ark Energy plans to develop the project in stages. Construction of the first phase is expected to begin later this year and will include 200 MW of solar generation capacity alongside a 275 MW/2,200 MWh battery storage facility.
Commenting on the achievement, Ark Energy Chief Executive Officer Michael Choi said, “This is a huge achievement and takes us closer to reaching financial close on the project, and our goal of breaking ground in the coming months.”
The Richmond Valley project represents an investment of approximately AUD 1.2 billion (USD 844.6 million). It previously secured a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) from the New South Wales government in 2023 and received both state government approval and federal environmental clearance in late 2025.
With the latest grid connection approval in place, Ark Energy is moving closer to construction, further strengthening Australia’s renewable energy and energy storage infrastructure while supporting the country’s transition to a cleaner and more reliable power system.
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