Hornsdale

Hornsdale is a rural locality in South Australia. In recent years it has become notable for two large renewable energy facilities located in the area: the Hornsdale Wind Farm and the Hornsdale Power Reserve, a lithium-ion battery storage installation. The site reflects South Australia’s broader transition toward renewable energy and grid modernization.

The Hornsdale Wind Farm, developed by Neoen and completed in 2017, has a nameplate capacity of about 309 megawatts and consists of 99 wind turbines. It was built to contribute substantial clean energy to the regional grid and to serve as a model for large-scale wind generation in the state.

Adjacent to the wind farm is the Hornsdale Power Reserve, a large lithium-ion battery storage facility installed by Neoen and Tesla. It began operation in 2017–2018 and was designed to provide fast-responding grid services, including frequency control and voltage support, to improve grid reliability. The facility was originally configured as 100 MW (capacity) / 129 MWh (energy storage), with subsequent expansions to increase its capacity and response capabilities.

Together, the Hornsdale installations have been cited in discussions about the viability of combining wind power with energy storage to enhance grid stability and reliability. The area remains predominantly rural, with land use that includes agriculture alongside these renewable energy developments.