Griffith BESS

The Griffith BESS project is progressing through the NSW State Significant Development (SSD) approval process. Following submission of the Scoping Report, the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) were issued in June 2025. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is currently under preparation, with submission targeted for October 2025. Technical studies including noise, biodiversity, bushfire risk, traffic, and visual impact, are underway in accordance with the SEARs and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

A Long Duration Storage Long Term Energy Service Agreement (LDS LTESA) is a financial support mechanism from the NSW Government to help deliver long duration energy storage capacity in NSW. As the existing thermal fleet reaches end of life, long duration energy storage is an important form of energy that can firm the supply mix and mange intraday variability. It provides some revenue underwriting support that is required to help commercialise these types of long-term projects.

More specifically, the LDS LTESA is a financial derivative contract that provides an LTESA Operator with a series of options to access a variable annuity payment. If the option is exercised, the annuity payment will be in the form of a top up to net operational revenues achieved by the Project. 

Eku Energy are committed to transparent, open and proactive consultation with First Nations, local stakeholders and the broader community. We are engaged with a variety of local education and workforce institutions and First Nations representatives within the Griffith and Riverina areas.

Eku Energy is committed to sharing benefits of the project with the local Griffith and Riverina communities. Griffith BESS already established a dedicated Powering Big Dreams program [hyperlink to 3 tabs about social licence] for Griffith BESS to support hiring underrepresented groups and apprentices in the workforce; engage cultural awareness services; and sub-contract with First Nations businesses. During construction and operation, the project will deliver financial benefits as part of our Powering Big Dreams program to support local not-for-profits and fund projects or initiatives according to a set of social investment criteria, including positive impact on the environment, social connectedness as well as employment and education.

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The design of the community benefits sharing program is underway with the community and we welcome ongoing suggestions on ways that Griffith BESS can share benefits. Please refer to more details by reviewing our Powering Big Dreams - Griffith BESS benefits sharing program (3.5mb)

The project is located on an uninhabited rural lot in the suburb of Yoogali, sited within an approved solar farm footprint, where environment and heritage surveys have been conducted to ensure minimal impact. The area comprises cropped land with patches of native vegetation and we expect the development will not have a significant impact on environmental values.

Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council is the recognised ATSIC representative forum for the Griffith Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander(ATSIC) community. Eku Energy recognise its role in identifying and preserving the Aboriginal heritage and culture of this area and advocating for the interest of the community and negotiating improvement in service delivery and coordination on behalf of the community. Eku Energy commits to meaningful and continuing engagement with Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council.

At the end of the BESS’s useful life, the project will be fully decommissioned. This will include:

• Removal of all above-ground, non-operational equipment
• Removal of any underground equipment buried at a depth shallower than 0.5m
• Cleanup of any residual contamination

During decommissioning, we will assess options for repurposing the facility, re-using equipment, and recycling materials wherever possible. Any materials that cannot be re-used or recycled will be classified according to relevant guidelines and disposed of at an appropriate facility.