NSW commercial battery storage project guidance
NSW is the first state where we are running commercial battery storage assessments. If your business operates in NSW and your electricity spend is significant, this page summarises what we look at, what programs are currently published, and what you should send us to start. We assess NSW sites from 200 kWh to 10 MWh on the 261 kWh all-in-one liquid-cooled platform, scaled from a single cabinet to multi-megawatt-hour systems. Raylin Energy is the EPC general contractor: we sign the project contract and stay your single accountable party for equipment, design, commissioning oversight and after-sales, with construction delivered by qualified, licensed Australian subcontractors we select and manage.
Three reasons NSW leads our rollout
Many NSW commercial sites sit on tariffs that include both a peak demand charge and time-of-use energy charges. That makes storage commercially attractive where the same site on a flat tariff would not be.
NSW and federal programs aimed at reducing commercial emissions and supporting behind-the-meter storage have been published in recent years. We track what is currently open and help you assess eligibility — application and approval remain between you and the program administrator.
Raylin Energy signs the EPC general contract. Construction, installation and commissioning are delivered by qualified, licensed Australian subcontractors (licensed electricians and CEC-accredited installers) that we select and manage. We do not employ in-house Australian installation crews.
Starting an NSW project
Four things are enough to start a useful conversation. We will tell you on the first reply what we still need.
- Your most recent electricity bill — PDF or photo. We read the tariff, the demand charge, and the consumption profile.
- Your site address — to scope network connection requirements and installer coverage.
- Your operating hours — when the site runs, what shifts, what the peak window looks like.
- Existing solar PV (if any) — inverter brand, capacity, install date. Determines whether storage is AC-coupled, DC-coupled or standalone.
What is currently published that may apply
This is a summary of currently published NSW, federal and ARENA-related programs that may be relevant to a commercial battery storage project. We do not administer any of these programs. Eligibility, application and approval are between you and the program administrator.
- NSW Energy Security Target / Emerging Energy Program — published by NSW Government; pathways for behind-the-meter storage and demand response. Verify current status directly with NSW Government.
- ARENA programs — federal programs targeting commercial-scale storage and demand-side innovation. Verify directly with ARENA.
- Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) — federal scheme covering small-scale batteries (typically under 100 kWh); not the main vehicle for 200 kWh–10 MWh projects but worth checking for hybrid configurations.
- State-level Demand Response programs — published periodically by AEMO and state bodies; some pay commercial sites to reduce load during peak events.
Important: program names, eligibility and incentive levels change. The list above reflects categories that have been active in recent years. Always verify current status with the program administrator before relying on a specific incentive in your project economics. Raylin does not administer any of these programs and does not guarantee outcomes.
What the BESS5 category actually requires
BESS5 is a behind-the-meter C&I battery category under the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme. As published, it commences on 1 September 2026. Because the rules determine whether a project qualifies at all, we check a site against the published criteria before we quote — not after.
Eligibility is for usable battery capacity greater than 200 kWh and up to 30 MWh. The payable certificate value is calculated on the lower of usable battery capacity, 10 MWh, or four times the battery inverter output — which is why an oversized inverter on a small battery does not increase the outcome.
Residential systems and data centres are not eligible under this category. If your project is either of those, a different pathway applies and we will tell you so rather than filing it under the wrong one.
Published criteria include UL 9540A test documentation, an internet-connected system controllable by a Demand Response Aggregator, and solar PV capacity of at least 25% of usable battery capacity. Where solar is required, it changes the project design — not just the paperwork.
Where these rules come from. This is a summary of the criteria as published for the scheme category, provided for planning purposes only. It is not a formal eligibility determination, and it is not a certificate quotation. Program criteria, allocations and dates can change or be revised — EcoVantage, as the accredited certificate provider on our side, makes the formal determination; we will tell you before you sign anything. The published scheme text and rule changes are maintained by NSW on the official Energy Savings Scheme site — see NSW Energy Savings Scheme — Peak Shifting (BESS5) and PDRS Rule and BESS5 requirements for the current criteria, capacity window, and any rule changes.
NSW-specific questions
Do you currently run assessments outside NSW?
Yes — we also assess sites in VIC and QLD. NSW is the primary state for our current commercial rollout because of tariff structure and existing programs, but the assessment process is the same across the three states.
What about SA, WA, NT or TAS?
SA, WA, NT and TAS are not part of our current active rollout. We can still look at enquiries case-by-case but expect a longer reply window and we may need to refer you to a partner closer to your site.
Will you help with my NSW incentive application?
We will tell you what is currently published and help you assess whether you look eligible. The application itself — paperwork, signatures, submissions — is between you and the program administrator. We do not represent you in NSW Government processes.
How do you handle network connection in NSW?
Network connection (Ausgrid / Endeavour / Essential Energy in NSW) is part of the project. We manage the connection application on your behalf as the prime contractor; timelines depend on the DNSP and the size of the system.
Other commercial & industrial pages
Each page focuses on a different entry point — choose the one that matches your situation.
Commercial battery storage
200 kWh – 10 MWh projects for NSW, VIC and QLD sites. Peak shaving, demand management, time-of-use load shifting.
Solar + batteryCommercial solar + battery
Pair rooftop or ground-mount solar with battery storage. Self-consume daytime generation into the evening peak.
FactoriesBattery storage for factories
Food processing, cold storage, manufacturing, packaging. Long operating hours, predictable load, strong demand charge case.
AssessmentRequest a project assessment
Free assessment starts with your latest electricity bill. We reply within one business day.
Official policy reference. The Peak Shifting (BESS5) category is published on the NSW Energy Savings Scheme site: Peak Shifting (BESS5) · PDRS Rule and BESS5 requirements. The scheme site is the source of record; we summarise the criteria for planning.
NSW site? Let us look at the bill.
Submit your latest electricity bill and the site address. We reply within one business day.