Neoen has issued a notice‑to‑proceed to NHOA Energy for the construction of the Culcairn Battery, a 215 MW / 963 MWh hybrid storage project in New South Wales, Australia. The contract extends a partnership that previously delivered Neoen’s 238.5 MW / 477 MWh Blyth Battery in South Australia, underscoring NHOA’s role in large‑scale energy storage deployment.
NHOA Energy Receives EPC Notice‑to‑Proceed for Culcairn Battery
Neoen’s notice‑to‑proceed authorises NHOA Energy, a global utility‑scale storage provider, to deliver the Culcairn Battery under an engineering‑procurement‑construction (EPC) contract. The EPC partnership includes a joint venture of Equans Solar & Storage and Bouygues Construction Australia. The battery will be AC‑coupled and installed “behind‑the‑meter” at Neoen’s newly commissioned 440 MWp Culcairn Solar Farm, creating a solar‑plus‑storage hybrid plant.
Project Context and Technical Scope
The 215 MW / 963 MWh system will be integrated with the existing solar farm, allowing the combined asset to respond to the National Electricity Market’s (NEM) need for renewable integration and grid stability. NHOA cites hybrid systems and multi‑technology control as core competencies, built through multiple assignments worldwide. The project follows the Blyth Battery, which entered operation in early 2025 and has a capacity of 238.5 MW / 477 MWh.
Market Relevance for Australian Grid Operators
By adding substantial behind‑the‑meter storage to a large solar farm, the Culcairn Battery is positioned to enhance the commercial performance of the renewable asset while providing dispatchable power to support NEM reliability. Neoen’s CEO for Australia‑Pacific, Jean‑Christophe Cheylus, highlighted the project as “Neoen’s first behind‑the‑meter battery at a solar farm in Australia” and noted its role in “accelerating the energy transition.” For utilities and developers, the contract signals continued demand for hybrid solar‑plus‑storage solutions as a means to manage intermittency and meet state‑level renewable targets.
Key Takeaways
- Neoen awarded NHOA Energy a notice‑to‑proceed for the 215 MW / 963 MWh Culcairn Battery, to be built behind‑the‑meter at the 440 MWp Culcairn Solar Farm in NSW.
- The EPC contract involves a joint venture of Equans Solar & Storage and Bouygues Construction Australia, marking a new milestone in the Neoen‑NHOA partnership.
- The project follows the successful delivery of Neoen’s 238.5 MW / 477 MWh Blyth Battery in South Australia, which has been operating since early 2025.
EnergyInsyte's Take
The Culcairn Battery adds a sizable behind‑the‑meter storage component to an existing solar farm, offering grid operators a tool for managing variability without new transmission infrastructure. Execution risk appears limited given the repeat collaboration and the involvement of experienced EPC partners. Executives should monitor the project’s construction timeline and any regulatory updates in the NEM that could affect the valuation of behind‑the‑meter assets.
Source: Businesswire
