Stonepeak-backed Ampyr Energy Global has taken over a 50% stake in a 1GW Australia battery energy storage system (BESS) from Shell Energy.
A Shell Energy spokesperson told IPE Real Assets: “Shell Energy can confirm it will not progress its interests in the proposed Wellington BESS project in New South Wales, and Ampyr will retain the development rights to the proposed project.“
Ampyr did not respond to a request for comment.
Work on the project, expected to take 18 months, is due to begin in the middle of this year. The development cost of the first stage is expected to be around A$400m (€241m).
Ampyr and Shell agreed in 2022 to jointly develop the Wellington BESS project, which will be one of the largest battery storage projects in NSW.
The partners said at the time of the agreement the project would complement nearby existing renewable energy generation assets as well as the proposed additional generation to be delivered as part of the Central West Orana REZ.
Ampyr has operations and assets in Australia, India, Europe/the UK and the US.
Shell Energy is the second-largest electricity provider to commercial and industrial businesses in Australia. The company’s generation assets include 662MW of gas-fired peaking power stations in Western Australia and Queensland and the 120MW Gangarri solar energy development in Queensland.
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