About Armidale East BESS

The project will consist of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of up to 400MW, located approximately 16 kilometres east of Armidale, NSW.

The project will be constructed on private land within a development site of approximately 12 hectares (refer to latest project information update here). The battery will connect to an existing 330 kV overhead transmission line located to the north of the site. The layout has been designed to avoid most environmental constraints and minimise the removal of native vegetation.

Construction of the project would involve the following key components:

  • Up to 400 MW/ 2,400MWh in Pint Pot Creek NSW, located 16km east of Armidale including:
    • Battery containers
    • inverters
    • transformers
    • cooling systems if required
    • fire suppressions systems
    • switch rooms
  • switch yard
  • new access road to the site
  • parking site, site office and amenities for operational use.

For more information download our Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions.

Battery Energy Storage System Up to 400MW
Site area: 12 hectares approx.
System type: Battery Energy Storage System
Construction start date: Estimated for mid/end 2027

Development Process and Approval

Given the significant potential that the proposed Armidale East BESS has in contributing to the clean energy transition and climate action targets of the state, it is considered a State Significant Development (SSD) by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

FRV is currently in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phase of the Armidale East BESS proposal aiming to lodge the development approval application mid-2026. The Scoping Report was submitted to the Department in December 2023, and Secretary Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) were issued on the 22nd of December 2023. The SEARs outline the assessments that FRV is required to address within the EIS. You can read the Armidale East BESS SEARs here

The EIS is a very in-depth document that outlines specialist assessments and contains detailed planning information regarding the development. DPHI uses the EIS to assess the merit of the proposal and determine the outcome of the application.

You can learn more about the SSD process on the NSW Government’s Department of Planning website.

The project is also undergoing assessment under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, via the bilateral assessment agreement between the NSW and Australian Governments. This process ensures that both state and federal environmental requirements are considered in a coordinated manner. Further information can be found here

Bright Prospects

The project will deliver significant benefits to the region:

  • Construction will create job opportunities. FRV requires all contractors working on its developments to hire local contractors and utilise local suppliers wherever possible. It is estimated up to 130 workers will be required to construct the project.

  • During operations up to 5 ongoing operational roles will be created.

  • The employment benefits extend through the local supply chains to fuel supply, vehicle servicing, hotels/motels, B&B’s, cafés, pubs, catering, cleaning companies, tradespersons, tool and equipment suppliers and many other businesses.

Committed to Shine

  • FRV Services Australia is the owner and developer of the project.

  • FRV will maintain the community informed on the milestones reached.

  • FRV are committed to developing a reliable and safe clean energy asset for the region and to continuing community engagement throughout the project’s lifetime.