The South Australian firm, also part of a consortium to deliver hydrogen facilities at Whyalla, will build the big battery featuring approximately 220 MWh DC of energy storage.

That makes the battery larger than the once “world’s largest” at the Hornsdale Power Reserve, but slightly smaller than the state’s latest renewables infrastructure addition unveiled by AGL at Torrens Island last year.

To be located 90km east of Adelaide and adjacent to Epic’s two solar farms at Mannum, the $130 million project is expected to support South Australia’s ongoing energy security.

Epic will partner with energy storage specialist e-STORAGE – a subsidiary of Canadian Solar – to deliver the project. Construction is expected to commence in the second quarter of this year and should be completed in the second half of 2025 according to the renewables firm.

Epic CEO Clive D’Cruz said the project would support the supply of excess renewable energy during peak periods and enhance stability not just in South Australia but the national grid too.

“The battery energy storage solution will absorb surplus energy during times of low demand that can then be directed into the grid to help support the consistent supply of renewable energy to South Australian consumers, and the national grid, in peak periods,” D’Cruz said.

“The solution rounds out our investment at the current Mannum site where we own two solar farms capturing 46 MWp of the Riverland’s saturated sunlight to provide clean energy to industrial customers.”

A drone shot of the Mannum solar farm site. The battery will be built on the vacant plot immediately to the left of the panels and substation. Photo: Provided.

The battery will add to Epic’s portfolio of energy assets for its customers, with infrastructure ranging from wind and solar farms to microgrids and standalone storage. The company also owns and operates a gas pipeline spanning 1200km across SA, and is part of a consortium delivering the state government’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan.

Epic Energy general manager for strategy and business development Stephen Mudge told InDaily the project would help support SA’s transition to renewable energy.

“It does provide much-needed storage for renewable energy during periods of excess supply and allows that renewable energy to be supplied back to the market during peak periods,” he said.

“The project is located in Mannum but it supports the broader South Australian electricity system. From the Riverland’s perspective, the project will see another construction project which follows on from the construction of our Mannum 2 solar farm during 2023.”

The general manager told InDaily that its partnership with e-STORAGE was a continuation of its collaboration with Canadian Solar.

“e-STORAGE will be our main partner to deliver the project using their technology from a battery perspective,” he said.

“We’ve been working with another Canadian Solar [subsidiary] – Recurrent Energy – over the last one to two years at this site. We ultimately acquired the [solar] project from Recurrent Energy so we have a long history with the company.”

e-STORAGE president Colin Parkin said the firm was excited to collaborate with Epic as it expands its renewable energy portfolio in Australia.

“The Mannum project will support Australia’s roadmap for the efficient development of its energy network and facilitate the integration of new renewable generation sources,” Parkin said.