Ace Power Narrogin Solar-Battery Project Cleared to Shine
Published · 3 min read
The Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel in Western Australia has said “yes” to Ace Power’s plan. The $400 million Narrogin Solar Farm and battery system will soon rise on farmland near the Wheatbelt town of Narrogin, 190 kilometres southeast of Perth.
Project Snapshot
- Solar size: 200 megawatts (MW)
- Battery size: 200 MW / 400 megawatt-hours (MWh) – four-hour storage
- Total cost: A$400 million (about US$260 million)
- Site area: 3 kilometres south of Narrogin, along Wanerie Road
- Grid link: Narrogin South Substation, feeding the South West Interconnected System and the Wholesale Energy Market (WEM)
Construction is expected to bring about 230 jobs during peak activity. A smaller crew will handle long-term operation and maintenance.
Why Narrogin?
Narrogin is fast becoming a renewable energy hub. Flat farmland, strong sun, and an existing substation make the area ideal for clean-power projects.
| Developer | Project Type | Planned Capacity | Status |
| Ace Power | Solar + Battery | 200 MW solar / 200 MW, 4 hr battery | Approved (JDAP) |
| South Energy | Battery-only | 200 MW / 800 MWh | Approved |
| Lightsource bp | Solar + Wind + Battery | 150 MW solar / 250 MW wind / 200 MW battery | Proposed |
Shire President Leigh Ballard says each new approval “strengthens Narrogin’s role as a renewable energy hub” and promises local trades and supply deals.
People in Narrogin back clean power, but they want a fair share of the gains. They have asked to be “equal partners, not passive hosts.” The council asked state planners to tie approval to a community fund and a public art plan. These did not become legal conditions. Instead, the panel “strongly encouraged” Ace Power to work with local programs.
The state’s draft Community Benefits Guideline may soon set clear rules. Suggested payments run from $500 to $1,000 per MW per year for both solar and wind farms.
- Cash funds for sports, art, and youth services
- Job training for local workers
- Small-business contracts for goods and services
- Public art that tells the region’s story
Consultation on the draft rules is open until 4 August 2025. Residents, First Nations groups, and businesses can submit comments online.
How the Solar-Battery Plant Works
Solar panels will turn sunlight into direct-current (DC) electricity. Inverters will change DC into grid-ready alternating current (AC). When solar output is high, the plant will charge the battery. At night, or during cloudy periods, the battery will discharge power back to the grid.
- Four-hour storage smooths late-day demand peaks.
- Fast response helps balance sudden drops or surges on the grid.
- Reduced curtailment: Extra solar that might be wasted can be stored.
Economic Impact
Ace Power says it will aim to source many goods and services locally, keeping spending in the Wheatbelt. The company will develop a Regional Participation Plan to show how local workers and firms can take part.
Jobs timeline:
- 2025 Q4 – Early works: fencing, roads, and civil works
- 2026 Q1 to Q4: panel mounting, battery housing, cabling
- 2027 H1: testing, grid link, and hand-over to operations team
Who Is Ace Power?
Ace Power is a Sydney-based developer with a growing national pipeline. It is backed by Pelion Green Future, a German clean-energy holding firm. More details appear on the company site at
acepower.com.au.
Recent projects include:
- Merredin Solar Extension in WA
- Bathurst Battery in New South Wales
- Cloncurry Hybrid Hub in Queensland
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
The plant must still secure a network connection agreement and final engineering design. Supply chain delays and skilled-labor shortages could slow work, but Ace Power says early procurement is underway. On the upside, the project will cut an estimated 420,000 tonnes of CO2 each year, equal to removing more than 90,000 cars from the road. Batteries will also boost grid stability as aging coal stations in WA retire.
Conclusion
Ace Power’s Narrogin Solar-Battery project shows how regional towns can lead Australia’s clean-energy shift. The unanimous approval clears the way for construction, jobs, and local investment. Community voices remain vital, and draft state rules aim to lock in shared benefits. If work stays on schedule, Narrogin could feed its first clean kilowatt-hours into the grid by late 2027.
