Contact Energy, one of New Zealand’s largest energy generators and retailers, has officially opened the $125 million (NZD 151 million) Glenbrook Ohurua Battery 1 project in South Auckland, adding 100 MW / 200 MWh of fast-response energy storage to the grid.
Powered by 56 Tesla Megapack 2XL units, Contact said the facility can supply power to the equivalent of about 44,000 homes for up to two hours at peak demand.
Contact said the battery can absorb excess renewable energy when demand is low and instantly discharge power back when the grid needs support, responding to grid signals in just 0.2 seconds.
“This is more than new infrastructure; it represents a shift in how we power New Zealand’s future,” Contact Chief Executive Officer Mike Fuge said. “As we move towards a highly renewable system, flexibility from assets like this battery support energy security when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow.”
“It also reduces exposure to global energy shocks and builds a more independent energy system for New Zealand.”
Fuge said the Glenbrook Ohurua battery is a meaningful step forward in supporting a more renewable and resilient electricity system and helping ensure energy is available when it’s needed most.
“In simple terms, this battery not only helps keep the lights on, reliably and sustainably, but more than that, it shows how New Zealand can turn its renewable advantage into economic opportunity, supporting electrification, creating jobs, and powering a more secure and self-reliant future,” he said.
The Glenbrook Ohurua Battery 1 project took less than two years to deliver from concept to operation, and Contact said it had come in under budget.
The utility has already started building a second battery energy storage system at the Glenbrook site with the Glenbrook Ohurua Battery 2 project to feature a 200 MW / 400 MWh of energy storage capacity.
Together, the batteries will provide up to 300 MW of capacity, enough to power the equivalent of 132,000 homes for up to two hours during peak demand.
Glenbrook Ohurua Battery 2 is expected to be online in early 2028.
Comments
Please login to comment
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 11, 2026
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, June 1, 2026
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Madrid, Paris
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
6 am – 7:00 am CEST, Berlin
Friday, June 12, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new pv magazine Global May issue is now available!
Mountains to climb
Available in print and digital formats.
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
Energy-hungry data centers open new doors for solar and storage.
Available in print and digital formats.
You have no items in your basket.
