Gentari has broken ground on the Maryvale Solar and Storage Project in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
By integrating 243 MWp of solar capacity with a 172 MW / 409 MWh battery in a single generating system, Maryvale demonstrates how renewables can be delivered as dispatchable, grid-supporting generation. The project will play a role in advancing Australia’s 2035 emissions-reduction target as part of the Commonwealth’s broader Net Zero Plan.
Right approach, right technology, right timing
Maryvale’s location, timing and design converge on three key fronts. Gentari is committed to using the right approach in our projects, particularly as we seek to co-exist and create lasting value for the communities in which we operate. At Maryvale, this means forming long-term partnerships with First Nations peoples and local communities. A dedicated community-benefit fund and Industry Capability Grants are being established to support skills development, education, and local business opportunities in the Wellington region. Early and ongoing engagement ensures inclusive participation and shared benefits, reinforcing our focus on delivering impact beyond the fence line.
The project also represents the right technology for New South Wales. As one of the state’s first grid-forming battery projects, Maryvale is designed to enhance system strength and inertia. This capability helps stabilise the grid and ensures that renewables can be integrated more reliably in an area with already high levels of renewable penetration.
By combining solar Photovoltaics (PV) with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), connected on the Direct Current (DC) side of the inverter Maryvale can capture surplus midday solar, reduce energy losses by avoiding unnecessary Alternating Current (AC)-DC conversion cycles, and optimise output without increasing its land footprint. The BESS is capable of firming and smoothing variable solar supply, shifting energy to align with demand, and providing essential grid support services such as Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS). Together, these features position Maryvale as a flexible, grid-strengthening power station tailored for Australia’s modern electricity system.
Finally, Maryvale reflects the right timing. The Central-West Orana REZ is experiencing increasing congestion and variability due to the rapid growth of renewable generation. Against this backdrop, Maryvale’s dispatchable capacity arrives at a critical moment. Its ability to support grid stability and reduce blackout risks makes it a timely and strategic addition to the state’s energy transition pathway, as coal-fired generation retires and the demand for reliable clean energy grows.
A growing Gentari portfolio in Australia
“Project Maryvale represents our commitment to accelerating Australia’s energy transition with reliable, dispatchable renewable energy,” said Claire Elkin, Head of Gentari Australia.
Maryvale increases Gentari’s Australian clean energy portfolio to approximately 814 MW, spanning utility-scale solar farms and hybrid projects, including one of the largest solar farms in Victoria.
With construction now under way, Maryvale is targeting commercial operations in the second quarter of 2027. Its DC-coupled design, grid-forming technology, and strong community engagement framework offers a blueprint for future hybrid developments across other REZ in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
Maryvale is more than a solar farm – it is a part of Australia’s emerging clean-energy backbone, where firm and flexible renewables anchor a reliable, affordable and decarbonised grid for generations to come.
