Renewable energy developer Edify Energy has announced plans for a significant solar-battery hybrid project in northern Victoria. The proposed Noringi solar power station aims to feature what could become the largest eight-hour battery facility in Australia, comprising a 300 MW (ac) solar farm paired with an integrated battery capacity of up to 300 MW and 2,400 MWh.
The Noringi project is designed to capitalize on the benefits of solar hybrid technology, which allows for the on-site storage of excess solar energy. This capacity enables the solar farm to continue generating power during periods of negative pricing. The stored energy can then be injected into the grid during peak evening hours when electricity prices typically rise. Current solar hybrid projects predominantly utilize four-hour batteries; thus, the introduction of an eight-hour battery would allow for extended energy delivery into the evening.
If approved under the federal government’s EPBC Act, Noringi would not only be the largest solar-battery facility of its kind in Australia but would also compete with the partially constructed Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub for the title of the largest battery installation in Victoria, with both projects featuring a storage capacity of 2,400 MWh.
Project Details and Economic Impact
The Noringi site, located approximately 15 kilometers south of a 171 MW solar farm being developed by Canadian company Recurrent Energy, is also near Raygen’s experimental 5 MW solar thermal project. Edify plans to construct new substations to connect to the nearby 200 kV transmission line. This area, once considered unsuitable for solar and wind developments, has received reinforcements to its grid infrastructure in recent years, overcoming its previous designation as the “Rhombus of Regret.”
Construction of the Noringi solar power station is expected to take around 18 months and could provide employment for up to 250 workers. Edify anticipates starting construction in 2026. The company has been engaging with local residents since 2023, reporting that there are no residences within a 4-kilometer radius of the proposed site.
In April, Edify received approval for its Burroway solar-BESS in New South Wales, despite facing unusual opposition. Additionally, the developer submitted another solar-battery project in New South Wales into the EPBC approval queue, which was processed quickly, indicating a streamlined approach to such developments.
Environmental Considerations
The 638-hectare Noringi site features undulating sandy plains, supporting various mallee bushes. Edify’s referral indicates that the area may contain potential habitats for ten species listed under the EPBC Act. Notable species include the southern whiteface, brown treecreeper, malleefowl, south-eastern long-eared bat, red-lored whistler, regent parrots, Murray Mallee striated grasswren, major mitchell’s cockatoo, hooded robin, and mallee emu-wren.
An ecological assessment conducted in 2017 noted the presence of several of these species in the area. Edify has not yet submitted a development application to the state government but will likely address environmental concerns as the project progresses.
The Noringi solar power station represents a significant step toward enhancing Australia’s renewable energy landscape, contributing to both local employment and the broader transition to sustainable energy solutions.
