Canadian Solar’s e-STORAGE unit will supply 204 MW/408 MWh AC battery energy storage system (BESS) to the Tailem Bend 3 project being developed by Vena Energy in South Australia. e-STORAGE will also cover maintenance services for the battery energy storage system under a 5-year long term service agreement (LTSA).
Vena Energy started construction of the Tailem Bend 3 BESS project early last week ahead of planned commissioning in 2027. Tailem Bend 3 battery storage project is expected to firm large volumes of wind and solar generation in Australia, alongside other installations like Golden Plains Wind Farm BESS in Victoria.
Tailem Bend 3 Battery Energy Storage (BESS) Project Factsheet
Developer: Vena Energy
EPC Contractor: e-STORAGE, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar
Balance of Plant: Consolidated Power Projects Australia (CPP)
Location: Tailem Bend, South Australia
Grid Connection: ElectraNet Tailem Bend substation
Capacity: 204 MW/408 MWh AC
Technology Use: SolBank 3.0 using lithium-ion battery system
Target Commissioning: 2027
Project Timeline
2024 to H1 2025 – Project planning, scoping and early permitting. Site selection within Tailem Bend precinct also done.
December 2025 – Vena Energy breaks ground on Tailem Bend 3 battery storage project. EPC contracts also awarded to Canadian Solar, CPP.
2026 – Civil works, container deliveries, interconnection construction and substation works expected. Systems integration testing also expected to begin.
2027 – Planned commissioning date for Vena Energy’s Tailem Bend 3 BESS project.
Outlook on Vena Energy’s South Australia Battery Project
Large modular battery energy storage projects such as Tailem Bend 3 are no longer just grid addons. They are becoming, more and more central to the transmission system in absorbing excess generation and providing fast frequency response. The battery storage installations are also a way to reduce reliance on thermal plants.
Canadian Solar’s majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar through e-STORAGE will be delivering about 100 SolBank 3.0 containers. Containers described as “reliable, utility-scale storage system that enables greater renewable integration and long-term grid resilience”, by President of e-STORAGE, Colin Parkin. Tailem Bend 3 BESS is also the fourth energy storage project by the subsidiary in Australia. This increases their total storage capacity in the region to approximately 2 GWh.
