Meridian Energy has completed construction of New Zealand’s first large-scale grid-connected battery energy storage system (BESS) at Ruakākā, with an official opening ceremony scheduled for later today.
Located just south of Whangārei, the Ruakākā BESS boasts a maximum output of 100MW and a storage capacity of 200MWh—enough to power approximately 60,000 homes during peak winter usage for two hours. Construction began in Q1 2023 and was completed within the project’s original capital budget of $186 million.
Guy Waipara, General Manager Development at Meridian, highlighted the significance of this milestone. “The BESS adds a critical new storage asset to the North Island grid. It supports our capability to shift loads between price periods, manage peak demand, enhance resilience in the Northland region, and participate in the North Island electricity reserves market,” he said.
Although construction and commissioning are now finished, Meridian noted that the battery system will only become fully operational after final commissioning test results receive regulatory approval.
The company’s attention now turns to the adjacent $227 million, 130MW Ruakākā Solar Farm. Construction on the solar facility is expected to commence in August 2025. Together, the BESS and solar project will form the Ruakākā Energy Park, a cornerstone of Meridian’s broader $3 billion investment strategy over the next five years.
“These assets are set to play a vital role not just in Northland, but in strengthening New Zealand’s overall energy infrastructure,” said Waipara. “We’re committed to ensuring Kiwi homes and businesses have access to reliable, competitively priced electricity.”
Meridian is also advancing several other projects, including a consented BESS in Manawatū and additional solar-plus-storage developments at various stages of planning and approval.
The Ruakākā BESS was developed in partnership with Saft, which supplied the battery technology. Transpower provided vital support throughout planning, construction, and commissioning. Waipara acknowledged their contributions, calling the initiative “a true team effort” and emphasizing the learning curve involved in delivering New Zealand’s first project of this kind.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in the country’s transition toward a more resilient and renewable electricity network.
