Solar River

ZEN Energy is an energy company committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Achieving this target will rely on an economy-wide transformation to renewable energy and this is not possible without more renewable energy projects that combine generation with battery storage like the Solar River project.

Located between Burra and Morgan in South Australia, the Solar River Project is a large-scale hybrid solar & battery project that will be capable of exporting approximately 256MW into the South Australian network. The solar farm will be nominally 230MWdc. Solar River’s DC-coupled battery configuration allows for expansion of battery capacity with no impacts on the performance of facility. ZEN is currently varying the development approval to allow for up to 8 hours of battery storage, but plans to proceed in the near term with approximately 2.5 hours (650MWh) of storage capacity. The project will connect to the ElectraNet network via the new Bundey substation.

The project has been issued a Development Approval (inclusive of the main project site, 275kV transmission line easement and connection infrastructure) and is now working through a minor variation to reflect our planned connection to Bundey substation in parallel with completing the final stages of a grid connection application process.

Construction is expected to commence in 2024 and is due to start supplying electricity to South Australian electricity users in 2026.

We acknowledge the First Peoples of the River Murray & the Ngadjuri people as the Traditional Custodians of the land, waters and knowledge related to the Solar River site. In our work, we recognise the importance of Country – not just as a place, but how it also maintains community, family, kin, lore and language. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.