New Zealand finishes build of 100 MW / 200 MWh battery system

Construction of the Meridian Energy‘s Ruakākā BESS is now complete, adding a significant boost to the New Zealand grid.

The 100 MW / 200 MWh Ruakākā BESS, located in the Ruakākā Energy Park, 130 kilometres north of Auckland, was billed at a USD $119 million cost. The BESS consists of 80 containerised lithium-ion Saft Intensium shift battery modules from French energy storage systems maker Saft with grid integration support from national grid operator Transpower, which has also played a key role in planning, construction and commissioning.

Meridian’s General Manager Development Guy Waipara said the BESS adds a North Island storage asset into New Zealand’s electricity system, and one that will perform a number of key roles.

“This BESS is a new and exciting addition to our asset portfolio. It gives us the ability to load shift between price periods, smooth out peak periods, provide greater resilience to Northland and enable Meridian to participate in the North Island electricity reserves market,” Waipara said.

“Although construction and commissioning are now complete, some steps remain before the BESS is fully operational, including approval of final commissioning test results.”

Meridian’s focus will now turned to the neighbouring and essentially co-located 130 MW Ruakākā Solar Farm, with construction set to begin in August 2025. Together with the BESS, this forms Meridian’s Ruakākā Energy Park.

“There is a tremendous amount going on across the industry to ensure Kiwi homes and businesses continue to have all the electricity they need at prices that continue to be internationally competitive,” Waipara said.

“Meridian is stepping up to the challenge with the Ruakākā Energy Park, part of $3 billion we will invest over the next five years.”