Vena Energy, the renewable energy division of the Vena Group, has commenced construction of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 408 MWh in Tailem Bend, South Australia. The project, known as Tailem Bend 3 BESS, is scheduled to be operational in 2027 and will be among the largest battery storage facilities in the state.
Reinforcing the electricity grid capacity
The system is designed to store surplus electricity generation and discharge it during peak demand periods. This function aims to support the stability of the electricity grid and improve the management of supply and demand fluctuations. The infrastructure is part of a broader effort to progressively adapt the energy system to operational market needs.
According to Owen Sela, Managing Director of Vena Energy Australia, the Tailem Bend 3 BESS represents the company’s third energy storage project in the country. He stated that this new facility expands the storage capacity already deployed by the group and aligns with its ongoing regional investments.
Phased development at the Tailem Bend site
The project marks the third phase of the energy precinct developed by Vena Energy at Tailem Bend. The site already hosts a 127 MWdc solar plant commissioned in 2019 and the Tailem Bend 2 hybrid project, which added 118 MWdc of solar capacity in 2023 and a 41.5 MWh storage system in 2024.
This phased development demonstrates a gradual scale-up of energy assets on a single site. The successive integration of solar and storage capacity aims to optimise the use of existing infrastructure and strengthen the overall operational flexibility.
Local economic and organisational impact
The construction phase of Tailem Bend 3 BESS is expected to generate employment opportunities in the region, with a focus on local workforce and First Nations communities. Vena Energy also plans to engage regional suppliers for a portion of the goods and services required for the project.
The company states that it is building on relationships established during earlier phases of the Tailem Bend development. This organisational continuity supports the deployment of the new storage system, at a time when energy operators are adjusting their assets to meet the evolving demands of the Australian grid.
