AGL’s proposed Beresfield Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has moved into the Federal environmental approval stage, joining the national queue of energy projects being assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water opened the project for public comment on 6 November 2025, with submissions closing on 20 November. The public consultation process – open for ten business days – allows anyone to provide feedback on whether the project should be deemed a ‘controlled action’ requiring further assessment.
From State approval to Federal review
The Beresfield battery already holds NSW development approval, granted in early 2024 under the State Significant Development pathway. That approval was originally secured by Firm Power, which developed the project before being acquired by AGL in August 2024. The acquisition included a pipeline of six battery energy storage developments across the country.
Located at 53 Weakleys Drive beside Ausgrid’s 132 kV substation, the proposed BESS will store energy from the grid and release it during periods of high demand. It is designed to help balance supply and demand within the Hunter region’s electricity network, contributing to NSW’s renewable energy reliability and affordability objectives.
Project scope and construction
The Beresfield battery will include enclosed lithium-ion battery units, transformers, power conversion systems, and control equipment, all housed within a 4.3-hectare industrial site. It will connect directly to the existing Ausgrid Beresfield Substation via a short underground or overhead 132 kV line.
Construction is expected to take about ten months, creating up to 75 jobs during peak activity. Once operational, the facility will run continuously, with an expected lifespan of around 20 years.
The development has been designed to minimise environmental disturbance, with most infrastructure sited within already cleared or hardstand areas. Only 0.15 hectares of native vegetation will be removed, with biodiversity offsets and a management plan required as part of the NSW consent conditions.
Public participation and next steps
The Federal review now underway is focused on whether the project could impact matters of national environmental significance, such as threatened species or ecological communities.
To participate, members of the public can visit the EPBC Act Public Portal. Comments must be made online using the portal’s submission form.
The Minister for the Environment will make a decision within 20 business days of the referral being published. If deemed not a controlled action, the project can proceed under its existing NSW development consent. If further assessment is required, AGL may need to prepare additional documentation before construction can begin.
AGL has also invited local and First Nations-owned businesses to register their interest in supply or service opportunities during the construction phase, do that here.
