Gentari's 243MW Solar Plus 172MW Storage Project in Australia Reaches Completion

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Gentari Australia, a subsidiary of Malaysia's Petronas, announced the mechanical completion of the Maryvale Solar and Battery Energy Storage Project in the Central West region of New South Wales, transitioning the project into the commissioning and grid connection phase.

Located near Dubbo at the heart of the Orana Renewable Energy Zone, the project comprises a 243 MWp solar farm and a 172 MW/409 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The solar farm is equipped with approximately 400,000 Trinasolar photovoltaic modules mounted on single-axis trackers, while the storage system consists of over 120 battery units supplied by CATL. The solar and storage components are integrated using a DC-coupled configuration.

According to Gentari, the DC-coupled integration enables solar power to be stored and dispatched on demand, enhancing grid stability and reliability. In earlier statements, the developer noted that the system can firm up its own solar output, dispatching power to the grid when it is needed most, thereby providing dispatchable renewable energy. It can also deliver ancillary services essential for maintaining grid stability. These capabilities allow the battery storage system to serve both the project's economic viability and the broader strengthening of grid resilience.

Mechanical completion signifies the end of physical on-site construction, with commissioning, grid connection, and preparations for commercial operation to follow. Previous estimates indicate that the hybrid plant is expected to commence commercial operations in the second quarter of 2027. Once fully operational, the project will deliver up to 172 MW of dispatchable clean power, with annual generation sufficient to meet the electricity needs of approximately 82,000 households.

The Maryvale project is supported by a Long-Term Energy Storage Agreement (LTESA) awarded under the New South Wales Government's Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. Construction began in August 2025, with PCL Construction serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor.