Octopus Australia has reached financial close on the Blind Creek solar farm and battery project in New South Wales, valued at approximately A$900 million (US$587 million). Blind Creek combines a 300 MW solar farm with a 243 MW/486 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and is set to become one of the largest solar-battery hybrids in Australia.

Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery Project Overview

Developer: Octopus Australia

Location: Approx. 8 km north-east of Bungendore in NSW. About 32 km northeast of Canberra.

Solar Capacity: 300 MW

Battery Capacity: 243 MW/486 MWh

Investment: A$900 million (US$587 million)

Status: Financial close reached. Construction underway

Unique Feature: Agrisolar design that allows sheep to graze beneath the solar array.

Project Timeline

January 2021: Initial development submission made for the Blind Creek project.

June 2022: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) announced. Public consultation period starts.

July 2023: Development Consent for Blind Creek project granted by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

May 2025: Blind Creek secures key grid connection approval. The project also proceeds into final development phase ahead of Q3 2025 construction.

November 2025: Octopus Australia achieves financial close on the A$900 million Blind Creek solar farm and BESS project.

Q3 2025 onward: Construction expected to start. To center on civil works, solar panel installation and battery works. Construction phase to last approx.18-24 months.

Outlook on Octopus’ Blind Creek Solar-Battery Project in NSW, Australia

With financing complete and construction set to begin, the project will deliver utility-scale solar generation paired with long duration storage. This model replicates others like Punchs Creek in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM). Octopus is also developing a similar project in Victoria – Fulham solar farm and battery, that will be commissioned in 2027.

The agrisolar component for Blind Creek also adds to innovation in land-use, allowing for concurrent renewable energy generation and farming.

Octopus’ Blind Creek Project and Aussie’s Renewable Hybrids Landscape

Octopus’ Blind Creek solar and battery project is being realized at a time when Australia is facing growing demand for dispatchable renewable energy. This market pull also centers on the country’s transition away from fossil fuel generation. Blind Creek’s hybrid solar-storage design joins a host of other in fulfilling this market need for evening-peak dispatch and grid stability.

For Octopus Australia, securing major institutional funding for the A$900 million project points toward investor confidence in the Australian renewables sector and market.