Potentia Energy Reaches a Significant Milestone Under New SA Legislations For Grid-Scale Battery Projects
Potentia Energy’s grid-scale battery project at Emeroo is the first to be granted an environmental approval under new South Australian legislation for renewable energy projects.
The $400 million Emeroo Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, about 15km northeast of Port Augusta, is co-located with the existing Bungala Solar Farm and includes a 225 Megawatt (MW) system, expected to deliver up to four hours of energy storage.
Now its Statement of Environmental Objectives (SEO) has been officially approved under the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy (HRE) Act, making it the first BESS facility in South Australia to reach this stage of approvals under the new legislation.
In welcoming the project, South Australian Energy and Mining Minister, Tom Koutsantonis, said:
“South Australia has been a leader in renewable energy, in particular through our pioneering foray into grid-scale battery storage.
“We couldn’t have got to where we are – on track to 100% net renewable energy generation by 2027 – without good planning and world-leading legislation and policy.
“The Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act is another example of our early leadership. The Act was developed to ensure that we can accommodate our growing appeal as a place to invest in
renewable energy with a coordinated, orderly and equitable approach to renewable energy infrastructure.
“Potentia Energy’s investment in battery storage at Emeroo has been made possible by the HRE Act, and I congratulate the company on being the first to utilise this world-leading renewable energy framework and join South Australia in its strong progress towards 100% net renewable energy generation.”
Potentia Energy Chief Executive Officer Werther Esposito said he was proud his company’s project was the first to achieve SEO approval under the new process and standards.
“South Australia leads the country in many aspects of renewable energy and this is clearly a government committed to attracting and supercharging investment for the people of this state,”
Mr Esposito said.
“This new legislation is just one aspect of South Australia’s forward thinking, which is why other states are looking to it as a model for pioneering work in the transition to cleaner energy.
“Our company is also honoured to have this validation of the work we are already doing in this critical region for the state, with the industry-leading Bungala Solar Farm.
The HRE Act, which came into effect in July last year, introduces a comprehensive and transparent regulatory framework for renewable energy infrastructure, including BESS projects exceeding 5 MW, ensuring high environmental, community and cultural standards are met.
The new legislation also streamlines the regulatory process for these projects, aiming to provide investment certainty and reduce red tape.
Project development for Emeroo BESS will now advance, subject to final approval steps under the HRE Act and a final investment decision. Construction is anticipated to start in 2026 and targeted to be fully operational in 2028.
Additional storage projects in Potentia Energy’s South Australian development pipeline, the 125MW Blanche BESS and the 270 MW Harrogate BESS, are also advancing in development in the state.
Potentia Energy warmly commends the Government of South Australia for implementing the HRE Act, which elevates the state’s position at the forefront of renewable regulation in Australia.
Mr Esposito said: “Securing this significant milestone under the South Australia’s HRE Act is a significant achievement for both Potentia Energy and the state.
It underscores our shared commitment to advancing the energy transition and reinforces South Australia’s leadership in integrating renewable energy into the grid.”