Ark Energy, a subsidiary of industrial group Korea Zinc, says it has secured approval to connect its hybrid Richmond Valley solar farm and battery energy storage project to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
The project, being developed near the town of Casino in northern New South Wales (NSW), combines a 435 MW solar farm with up to 475 MW / 2,200 MWh of battery energy storage, making it one of the biggest solar hybrid facilities in the country.
Ark Energy said the project has now received its 5.3.4.A/B letters confirming it meets Generator Performance Standards and has approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and transmission network service provider Transgrid to connect to the local 330 kV network via the to-be-constructed Richmond Valley Switching Station.
Ark Energy Chief Executive Officer Michael Choi said receiving grid connection approval was a significant milestone for the project which will be one of the first hybrid solar and battery facilities in the NEM with a single point of connection.
“This is a huge achievement and takes us closer to reaching financial close on the project and our goal of breaking ground in the coming months,” he said, noting that approval comes after a “rigorous testing” regime that included design adjustments, power system modelling, hundreds of simulations, and network studies.
Construction on the Richmon Valley project is targeted to commence later this year, with the first stage consisting of a 200 MW solar farm and a 275 MW / 2,200 MWh battery that will incorporate lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and grid-forming inverter technology.
Choi said the facility, that has been awarded a long-term energy service agreement by the NSW government, is expected to play a key role in supporting the state’s transition to renewable energy.
“Once operational it will make a significant contribution to electricity supply and grid stability for NSW and the NEM,” he said.
The grid connection approval comes after the project was late last year cleared by the federal government under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. In October 2025 Ark Energy received development consent for the project from the NSW government.
Ark Energy has already appointed Spanish company Elecnor as early works contractor and has signed a supply contract with Hanwha Energy for the battery energy storage system. Under the agreement, Hanwha will manufacture, deliver and install a complete lithium iron phosphate BESS solution, including batteries and inverters, along with commissioning services.
