French battery company Saft said it won a contract from Meridian Energy to construct New Zealand’s first large-scale grid-connected BESS.
The 100MW/200MWh BESS is the first stage of a project that will include the construction of a co-located 130MW solar farm by Meridian Energy at Ruakākā on North Island.
Saft is providing a fully integrated solution, including battery and power conversion equipment, installation, commissioning and 20 years’ operational services.
It is scheduled to enter service in the second half of 2024 and will be able to support local grid demand for around two hours.
Saft said the system will include 80 Intensium Shift battery containers, based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology with 40 inverters Freemaq PCSK GEN3, 20 medium-voltage power stations and a power management system provided by third-party suppliers.
Saft will integrate the equipment with Meridian and Transpower 33kV switchgears, SCADA and power station.
