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Homebush Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

Project Overview

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We're proposing a battery in Homebush to add storage to the local electricity network. We're planning for the energy network of the future, now.

This battery will store 400MWh of energy - that's enough to power up to 27,000 Ausgrid households a day.

As we switch to renewable sources like solar and wind power, we need more energy storage to make sure we have power when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing. This will mean we can provide our customers with more sustainable, more reliable and more affordable power.

NSW needs six times more energy storage before 2030. Projects like the Homebush BESS are important to help keep our electricity supply stable.

Get involved

We have submitted the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). The EIS is now on public exhibition until 17 July 2025.

You can read the EIS and make a submission via DPHI's Major Projects website.

After the EIS exhibition period ends, we will prepare a Submissions Report to respond to the points raised.

We will continue to update this page as the project progresses.

Where will the Homebush BESS be located?

We are proposing the BESS to be located next to the existing substation at 10 Homebush Bay Drive, Homebush. If approved, the project will be built and operated by a third party.

Homebush BESS site map

BESS support the clean energy transition

The benefits of a BESS include:

  • Enabling more renewable energy
  • Reducing the need for new transmission lines
  • Local construction jobs
  • Improving grid stability and reliability
  • Enabling more affordable electricity

Learn more and share your feedback

We want to hear from the local community and answer any questions you might have. The feedback we get from this early consultation will help shape the project.

Contact our project team for more information.

  • Phone:1800 574 044 - Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm
  • Email: batteries@ausgrid.com.au
  • Mail: Ausgrid BESS Project Team, GPO Box 4009 Sydney NSW 2001
  • Late 2024
    • Early conversations with the community and stakeholders to help shape the project
    • Prepare and submit the Scoping Report to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI)
    • Request Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs)
  • Early 2025
    • Begin preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), including technical studies
    • Share findings of technical studies and seek feedback from the community and stakeholders
    • Submit EIS to DPHI
  • Mid 2025
    • Public exhibition of the EIS for community feedback
    • Prepare response to public submissions
  • Mid-late 2025
    • Review submissions and final assessments by DPHI
    • Project determination by DPHI
  • 2026
    • ​​​​​​​Construction begins

Newsletters

Project newsletters and fact sheets

Frequently Asked Questions

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a group of large rechargeable batteries, connected to form one very large battery. BESS collects energy, stores it when there is a lot and then releases it when there is high demand for electricity. 

These large batteries are critical to ensuring the reliability of electricity supply for households and businesses.

We are also connecting community batteries to our network infrastructure. Community batteries are the same technology, at a smaller size and help manage energy from roof top solar, locally.

As we switch to renewable sources like solar and wind power, we need more energy storage to make sure we have power when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing. This will mean we can provide our customers with more sustainable, more reliable and more affordable power.

By connecting BESS to our existing substations, we are reducing the impact on our communities and the environment, and decreasing the need to build more large transmission and distribution lines, which helps reduce costs and makes electricity more affordable.

BESS support the clean energy transition and make the energy network more reliable, affordable and sustainable. Their benefits include:

  • Enabling more renewable energy
  • Reducing the need for new transmission lines
  • Local construction jobs
  • Improving grid stability and reliability
  • Enabling more afforable electricity