The proposed Smithfield Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is located on Darug land in Western Sydney, NSW.  The proposed BESS is a 72 MW battery and is proposed to be co-located with our existing operational Smithfield Open Cycle Gas Turbine gas peaker.

The project is currently under development. As a State Significant Development (SSD), the proposed Smithfield BESS will undergo a rigorous approval process led by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. The Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Smithfield BESS was recently lodged with the Department and is on public exhibition from Thursday 16th November to Wednesday 13th December 2023 (in accordance with Division 5, part 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation). During this 28-day period, the community and stakeholders are given the opportunity to provide comment on the project proposal before any final decision is made by the Department. We encourage you to review the documentation prepared and provide comment: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/smithfield-battery-energy-storage-system.

A key activity within this process is our engagement with the local community and businesses, government agencies and local councils.  Effective engagement allows us to incorporate local knowledge and relevant feedback into our designs and also inform us on the best ways to engage with the community moving forward. 

If the project is approved, it is anticipated that construction works would commence towards the end of 2024 and commercial operations in 2025.