PLUS Grid Storage, part of the Ausgrid Group, has commenced construction on the Steel River East battery energy storage system (BESS) located in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The project has an installed capacity of 200 MW/400 MWh. Commercial operations for the project are expected to begin in late 2027, with SCEE Electrical serving as the delivery partner. The project will connect to the existing 132 kV Mayfield West zone substation.
Furthemore, the project will be located in the Steel River Industrial Estate and the Hunter and Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone. The project secured approval from the NSW Independent Planning Commission in March 2026. The NSW Energy Security Corporation committed A$100 million to a 650 MW PLUS Grid Storage portfolio, including the Steel River East project.
In August 2026, PLUS Grid Storage secured planning approval for the Homebush BESS project. The project will have a planned storage capacity of 400 MWh. The project will be located in New South Wales. The project is also backed by the NSW Energy Security Corporation through its $100 million investment.