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Press release Company news SmartestEnergy secures first large-scale battery storage deal to boost renewable energy reliability
Press release

SmartestEnergy secures first large-scale battery storage deal to boost renewable energy reliability

SmartestEnergy Australia, a leading energy provider for renewable solutions has partnered with Equis, a leading global renewable energy infrastructure investor, on the Tesla Megapack XL2 battery project, as it continues its Australian market expansion at speed.

Company news
24 Mar, 2025
3 min
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Sydney, NSW – [24 March 2025] – SmartestEnergy, a leading global provider of renewable energy solutions for businesses, is announcing today its first large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) tolling agreement, marking a major milestone in its Australian expansion. The 100MW/200MWh Tesla Megapack battery, to be owned by Equis in Calala, NSW, will enable SmartestEnergy to charge and discharge into the National Electricity Market (NEM), providing firming capacity to the retailer's portfolio, enhancing grid reliability, and accelerating Australia’s transition to clean power. The SmartestEnergy portion of the BESS forms part of the 250MW/500MWh project which has successfully achieved financial close.

Powering the future with battery storage

By integrating battery storage with renewable energy sources, SmartestEnergy will provide a steady and reliable power supply, helping to mitigate the volatility of renewables and support Australia’s transition to a net zero energy system.

Battery storage is an integral asset in delivering a fully renewable grid. This agreement complements our business and reinforces our commitment to playing a leading role in Australia’s energy transition. As the market evolves, firming assets like this will be essential to ensuring clean energy remains both reliable and cost-effective for businesses.

A more intelligent, cleaner energy mix

Developed by Equis, the Calala BESS will deliver 100MW of power with a two-hour discharge duration. Unlike batteries tied to specific wind or solar farms, this project is directly connected to the NSW grid, providing much-needed flexibility and stability.

Equis is Asia-Pacific’s leading renewable energy infrastructure investor, developer, owner and operator with a strong track record in developing a broad portfolio of renewable energy projects across multiple technologies, including utility-scale energy storage. With deep expertise across the entire project lifecycle including project development, financing, and execution, Equis will continue to play a pivotal role in accelerating Australia’s renewable energy transition and will be a valuable partner for SmartestEnergy.

This is a watershed moment for SmartestEnergy. To lead in the future energy market, you need firming assets like this. It’s no longer optional.

Battery storage is a critical component of Australia’s clean energy transition, enabling greater flexibility and reliability as more renewables enter the grid. By working with Equis, SmartestEnergy is reinforcing its commitment to innovative energy solutions that empower businesses with firmed, low-carbon electricity.

“Partnerships like this are essential,” added Uziallo. “The energy transition isn’t something any company can navigate alone. By collaborating with industry leaders like Equis, we’re ensuring our customers have access to clean energy they need for the future.”

Equis has an extensive track record of delivering renewable energy projects and structuring a wide range of innovative offtake solutions, and this partnership with SmartestEnergy builds on that legacy while playing a significant role in accelerating NSW’s renewable energy transition.

This deal signals SmartestEnergy’s strategic move into the big battery market, a critical step in making renewable energy more competitive and accessible for businesses. The project marks SmartestEnergy's first battery storage agreement As businesses accelerate their net zero commitments, SmartestEnergy Australia continues to expand its portfolio of flexible energy solutions and strengthen its role in the National Electricity Market (NEM).

Established 25 years ago in the UK, SmartestEnergy has a track record of pioneering new approaches to supporting businesses' transition to clean energy. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Marubeni, a Japanese corporation listed on the Fortune Global 500, SmartestEnergy is backed by strong global expertise and resources. Today’s announcement further reinforces the organisation's commitment to international growth and its vision of becoming a global leader in sustainable energy solutions for businesses.