The Elaine Hybrid Renewable Energy Project, led by international solar and storage developer Elgin, has achieved a major technical milestone with approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The issuance of the 5.3.4A letter confirms that the project complies with the latest grid connection standards under the National Electricity Market (NEM) framework. Located near the Elaine Terminal Station in regional Victoria, the project will include a 150 MWp solar farm and a 125 MWac battery energy storage system (BESS) across 600 acres. With around 230,000 ground-mounted solar panels, it will generate enough renewable electricity to power about 60,000 homes in Victoria.

This is Elgin’s first hybrid development to feature SMA’s advanced grid-forming inverters, developed in collaboration with SMA Australia. These inverters will give the battery system capabilities such as system strength charge mitigation, synthetic inertia, fast frequency response, and short-circuit strength—critical functions for maintaining a stable grid as more renewable sources are integrated. The system also includes SMA’s Hybrid Power Plant Manager, Sunny Central PV inverters, and Sunny Central Storage battery inverters. Elgin worked with SMA and its consultants on grid modelling to ensure a smooth and compliant connection process.

John Alexander, Vice President Large Scale and Project Solutions at SMA Australia, said in a statement, “This milestone demonstrates what can be achieved when experienced partners unite to enable reliable, utility-scale renewables. We are proud to support this landmark initiative with our grid-forming inverter technology, providing vital stability services as Australia transitions to a low-carbon energy future. Our grid-forming solutions go beyond hardware—they’re backed by software, engineering, and decades of expertise. We’re setting a new standard in energy storage and grid stability, and we thank Elgin for their strong collaboration and shared vision.”

Tim Averill, Managing Director at Elgin, stated, “This is a landmark moment for Elgin in Australia and a major step forward for the state of Victoria. Elaine is one of our largest hybrid developments to date and reflects our long-term commitment to delivering clean, stable and scalable renewable energy solutions. We’re proud to collaborate with SMA on a project that supports Victoria’s clean energy transition and contributes to our global pipeline of 6 GW solar and 3 GW of storage.

As one of Victoria’s largest hybrid renewable energy projects, the Elaine project is designed for high performance and cost-efficiency. It is also one of the first hybrid systems in Australia to meet grid-forming compliance under the revised NEM framework. The project spans 230 hectares over two land parcels and will be connected to the grid via a new 220 kV transmission line linked to the Elaine Terminal Station, with AEMO serving as the Network Service Provider. Construction is set to begin in 2026, with commercial operations expected by 2027. Once operational, the project is expected to create about 150 construction jobs and support long-term employment during its estimated 40-year lifespan.