Korea Zinc Co.’s Australian unit selected Hanwha Group to supply battery systems for what’s set to become Australia’s largest energy storage facility, deepening ties between the two Korean industrial powerhouses in the renewable energy sector.
The 2,200 MWh battery system in Richmond Valley, New South Wales, will be capable of providing 275 MW of power for eight hours daily over a 14-year period. The project, developed by Korea Zinc’s subsidiary Ark Energy, secured a long-term service contract with the state government last December.
The selection of Hanwha as preferred bidder follows a year-long competitive process that evaluated both domestic and international suppliers against Australia’s power industry standards. The decision builds on an existing partnership between the companies, which began in 2022 through a share swap between Ark Energy and Hanwha Impact’s US unit.
Construction is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with operations starting in 2026. The companies plan to establish a task force by month-end to finalize supply contract details early next year.
The project represents Korea Zinc’s first major renewable energy venture with Hanwha in Australia, as the metals producer diversifies into sustainable energy markets.
