Chinese energy storage system provider Sungrow has begun construction of the Pelican Point battery system for ENGIE, located near the gas-fired power plant of the same name in the Outer Harbour industrial area of Adelaide. The 200 MW, 400 MWh project is scheduled to begin operations in the second half of 2027. It marks Sungrow’s first utility-scale grid-forming installation in South Australia.
A project to address grid constraints
South Australia has one of the highest renewable energy penetration rates in the world, particularly from wind and solar. This has led to increasing operational challenges, including frequency instability, reduced synchronous generation, and a growing need for fast-response capacity. The Pelican Point Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is designed to tackle these issues by providing large-scale grid support, storage capacity and improved system resilience.
Installed alongside the existing gas plant, the system will operate under a hybrid model where the battery and upgraded thermal unit work in tandem. Once operational, the asset is expected to power the equivalent of 29,400 typical South Australian households, based on projections from project partners.
Integrated technology and industrial-scale performance
The project relies on Sungrow’s proprietary technologies, including ST5015UX containers from the PowerTitan 2.0 range, featuring liquid cooling, high energy density and advanced battery management. The SC6900UD-MV converters deliver bidirectional conversion with grid-forming capability, providing strong network support services.
Sungrow’s EMS3000 plant controller will enable centralised site management, market signal integration and responsiveness to network-specific requirements. These features are expected to allow faster on-site deployment and minimise system integration risks.
Technical cooperation and delivery set for 2027
The project is being delivered with partners Elecnor and ElectraNet. It demonstrates ENGIE’s ability to modernise existing thermal assets to align with the evolving needs of a changing power grid. Sungrow views it as a showcase of its expertise in utility-scale storage solutions tailored for high-renewable grids.
The construction of the Pelican Point BESS marks a further step for Sungrow in developing high-value battery projects in Australia. The company aims to expand its footprint in the Australian market, amid a rapidly diversifying energy mix.
