Why has the New Zealand battery project been withheld?

Some information has been withheld for the reasons of commercial information, confidential advice entrusted to the Government, negotiations, and national security or defence. This paper seeks Cabinet’s agreement to progress the New Zealand Battery Project to its next phase of work.

Which energy company is building New Zealand's first grid-connected battery energy storage system?

Meridian Energy is building New Zealand’s first large-scale grid-connected battery energy storage system (BESS) at Ruakākā on North Island Paris, January 10, 2023 – Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has been awarded a major contract by Meridian Energy to construct New Zealand’s first large-scale grid-connected BESS.

What is a New Zealand battery & solar farm?

The battery and solar farm will be part of New Zealand “gentailer” Meridian Energy’s envisioned Ruakākā Energy Park, one of the biggest renewable projects planned for the country. French-headquartered Saft will supply the batteries for the project, as well as power conversion equipment, installation, commissioning and 20 years operational services.

Are 3 lithium ion batteries a viable solution to the dry year problem?

Within these technology 3 Lithium ion batteries were part of the initial discussion list, but were quickly ruled out as being prohibitively expensive at the scale that New Zealand needs to solve the dry year problem. These batteries rely on quick charge and discharge (intra- or inter-day, rather than across years) to be viable.