Octopus Australia has broken ground on the Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery project in Bungendore, North South Wales. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by NSW Premier Chris Minns. The development combines 300MW of solar generation with a 243MW, 486 megawatt-hour battery system. The facility is also designed to supply electricity to the grid by storing energy produced during daylight hours for use when there is peak demand in the evening.

It will connect to the main transmission line between Sydney and Canberra via a new substation. During peak construction period, the project is expected to create up to 300 full-time equivalent jobs. Moreover, around half of these positions are intended for workers from Bungendore and the Monaro region. Construction is under way under the direction of engineering, procurement and construction contractor GRS. On the other hand, Wärtsilä Energy Storage will provide the battery component. Australia is proficient with solar projects with the world’s largest solar power plant located in the country.

Outlook on the Blind Creek Solar Farm Project in NSW

The Blind Creek solar farm and battery project is expected to be completely operational in 2028. Investments have been provided by various entities such as Australian superannuation funds Hostplus and Rest. Furthermore, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Westpac Private Bank and Dutch pension fund APG have also contributed. These investors are supporting Octopus Australia’s project as part of broader efforts to enhance energy infrastructure in NSW.

Minns said: “This is the kind of project NSW needs as we replace aging energy infrastructure. We need to keep the lights on, keep costs as low as possible and to keep regional communities with us along the way. “The Blind Creek project is creating local jobs, and it will help deliver the replacement energy that households and businesses rely on.” The initiative was developed in collaboration with local sheep farmers who sought to maintain agricultural activities alongside solar energy production.

Design features allow continued grazing operations on land that has supported animal production for 155 years. Octopus Australia CEO Sam Reynolds said: “This project shows what happens when global capital, Australian super and regional farming families align under stable government policy. You get real infrastructure, real clean electricity and real jobs.”

Project Factsheet

• Project Name: Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery Project
• Location: Bungendore, New South Wales
• Estimated Investment Value: $639 Million
• Project Type: Utility-scale solar farm with battery energy storage

Timeline

• 2026: Groundbreaking ceremony held.
• 2026: Construction begins.
• 2028: Target commercial operation date.

Site & Scale

• Solar Generation Capacity: 300MW.
  Battery Storage Capacity: 243MW / 486MWh.
  Grid Connection: New substation linking Sydney–Canberra transmission line.
  Jobs Created: Up to 300 full-time equivalent construction jobs.
  Local Workforce Target: About 50% from Bungendore and Monaro region.

Key Developers / Contractors / Partners

• Octopus Australia – Project developer.
• GRS – Engineering, procurement and construction contractor.
• Wärtsilä Energy Storage – Battery storage supplier.

Investors / Financial Partners

• Clean Energy Finance Corporation – Project financing support.
• Hostplus – Institutional investor.
• Rest Super – Institutional investor.
• Westpac – Financial partner.
• APG Asset Management – International investment partner.

Strategic Objectives

• Expand renewable energy generation in New South Wales.
• Also provide stored electricity during evening peak demand.
• Replace aging energy infrastructure.
• It will also support regional employment and economic growth.

Infrastructure & Operations

• Solar power generation during daytime.
• Battery system stores energy for evening peak demand.
• Also designed to allow continued sheep grazing on the site.

Current Status

• Groundbreaking completed by Octopus Australia.
• Construction underway.
• Full operations also expected by 2028.