Meridian Energy’s 622MW Waiinu hybrid project enters New Zealand fast-track consenting pathway

energy-storage.news Jun 23, 2026

Meridian Energy’s 622MW Waiinu hybrid project enters New Zealand fast-track consenting pathway

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 23, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Meridian Energy's 622MW Waiinu hybrid project has entered New Zealand's fast-track consenting pathway, allowing it to bypass standard resource consent processes. The project proposes 56 wind turbines, a solar PV power plant, and a grid-scale battery energy storage system. With a total generation capacity of 622MW, it would be one of the largest single renewable energy developments in New Zealand's history, generating approximately 1,600GWh of electricity per year. The project's site was selected for its strong wind resource and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure. Meridian plans to lodge its substantive consent application in late 2026.

💡 Why It Matters

· The fast-track referral underscores the critical role of vertically integrated electricity companies in driving large-scale renewable energy projects.
· Meridian's strong balance sheet enables it to invest in ambitious developments like Waiinu, which is crucial for delivering new generation capacity and making power affordable.

Capsules Energy

Read full article on energy-storage.news

CATL claims purpose-built sodium-ion BESS can help solve ‘uncertainties’ facing industry

CATL has launched its large-scale sodium-ion battery energy storage system, a 30MWh+ module to be shipped outside China from next year. The system addresses supply chain, operational performance, and lifecycle issues, utilizing abundant sodium to mitigate customer concerns. CATL claims its design can operate at a wider range of temperatures than lithium and has manufactured 300,000 Na-ion cells for validation. Initial shipments will begin in China this September, with global shipments starting in June next year. The system combines flexibility, reliability, and long service life, supporting a range of durations from 1-hour to 8-hour discharge.

💡 Sodium-ion batteries offer a potential solution to the industry's reliance on lithium, addressing supply chain uncertainties. By providing a more abundant and versatile alternative, CATL's sodium-ion BESS can help reduce risks for energy storage investors.

cleantechnica.com · Jun 23

LEGO Installing Another Large Solar Power Plant

The LEGO Group is building a new solar power plant in Billund, Denmark, with an installed capacity of 116 MW and a grid connection of 80 MW peak. The plant is expected to generate approximately 99 GWh of renewable electricity annually, covering 100% of the company's electricity needs in Billund. Operations are planned to begin in late 2027, increasing the company's installed renewable energy capacity by 204% compared to 2025. The project aims to support local biodiversity and provide a community space, with 35 hectares dedicated to natural habitats and open landscapes. The solar park's design minimizes visual impact and includes bat habitats and nesting boxes.

💡 By prioritizing renewable energy, LEGO reduces its reliance on non-renewable sources, setting a precedent for other companies to follow. The project's focus on biodiversity conservation showcases a model for environmentally responsible development.

cleantechnica.com · Jun 22

Southeast Asia Has 5 Proposed Subsea Power Cable Projects By 2040 —…

Southeast Asia is poised to expand its electricity interconnector capacity by 2040, with 18 new and existing interconnectors needed to double the region's current 7.7 gigawatts. A new analysis from Ember highlights the importance of governance arrangements in ensuring the successful implementation of these projects. The report identifies three key gaps: regional planning, cost allocation, and coordination across maritime authorities, emphasizing the need for stronger regional planning, structured approaches to cost allocation, and greater coordination.

💡 The success of Southeast Asia's cross-border electricity ambitions hinges on the development of robust governance frameworks, which will determine the region's ability to strengthen energy security, improve access to diverse energy resources, and accelerate the transition to low-carbon growth.

energy-storage.news · Jun 22

Multi-day energy storage startup Ore Energy signs 1GWh iron-air battery deal with…

Energy storage startup Ore Energy has signed a deal with Dutch utility Budget Thuis to deploy up to 1,000MWh of multi-day-duration iron-air batteries. The 400MWh first phase is set to be delivered in 2028. Ore Energy's battery technology is based on iron, water, and air, and is configurable for discharge durations of 24 hours to 100 hours. This technology is designed to store wind energy over multiple days and dispatch it when needed, addressing the issue of curtailed renewable energy in Europe.

💡 The success of iron-air battery technology could be a game-changer for European grids, enabling them to store clean electricity when it's abundant and deliver it when it's most valuable. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, utilities can provide customers with cleaner and more predictable electricity over time, ultimately reducing exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices.

energy-storage.news · Jun 22

There is now more installed energy storage capacity than nuclear in Europe,…

Installed energy storage capacity in Europe has surpassed nuclear capacity, with a record 13.5GW/26.4GWh of new electrochemical energy storage deployed in 2025. Cumulative installs reached 102.7GW by the end of 2025, overtaking Europe's 105GW nuclear fleet in the second quarter of this year. Legacy pumped hydro energy storage accounts for around half of the installed capacity, while electrochemical storage, mostly lithium-ion batteries, makes up the rest. The European Market Monitor on Energy Storage report forecasts 153GW/485GWh of additional installs by 2030, revising its previous forecast upwards due to heightened market activity, with Germany, Italy, and the UK hosting over 10GW each.

💡 Energy storage's overtaking of nuclear capacity underscores a significant shift in Europe's energy landscape, driven by rapid growth in electrochemical storage. Heightened market activity is revising forecasts upwards, with significant implications for the continent's energy transition.

cleantechnica.com · Jun 22

The EV Battery Call Is Coming From Inside The House

QuantumScape, a US energy storage startup, is progressing towards commercial-level production of solid-state lithium-metal EV battery technology. The company has partnered with Honda to accelerate its technology into the market through a multi-year R&D agreement. This partnership includes fine-tuning the manufacturing process, which QS has developed to eliminate a costly fabrication step. QuantumScape has also made recent advancements, including the addition of Tesla co-founder JB Straubel to its Strategic Advisory Board, indicating acceleration towards commercial operations. The company's solid-state battery technology has the potential for higher performance and less risk of fire.

💡 Honda's investment in QuantumScape's technology underscores the automotive industry's growing interest in solid-state batteries. JB Straubel's involvement brings valuable expertise in battery innovation and manufacturing scale-up.