CentrePort Battery Energy Storage Pilot

CentrePort is tackling the challenge of decarbonising its operations by electrifying heavy vehicles and piloting innovative energy solutions. With plans to install EV chargers, they face electricity supply constraints. Supported by Ara Ake, CentrePort is exploring a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to enable sustainable growth and network innovation.

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The Challenge: Decarbonising CentrePort’s Operations

CentrePort, as an intermodal hub and marine port in Wellington, is a lifeline utility linking domestic trade with land and marine transport modes. CentrePort operates multiple inland hubs in both the North and South Island to provide a complete supply chain service for strategic customers.

Like many other commercial entities, CentrePort aims to transition away from fossil fuels. A significant step involves replacing their fossil fuel machines – such as trucks, forklifts and cranes - with low emissions, electrified alternatives.

Due to electrifying a significant portion of their heavy vehicle fleet, CentrePort have plans to install multiple 500kW EV chargers at their Wellington site. However, the move towards electrification brings challenges. They already have a very peaky load and, with this installation, are expected to exceed their current electricity supply cap.

Given its electrical system capacity, consumption profile and electrification plans, CentrePort is expected to trigger a costly upgrade of upstream electrical infrastructure unless alternative solutions are implemented.

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The Solution: Innovative energy storage for sustainable growth

Traditionally, addressing increased electricity demand at a site would involve the local lines company expanding infrastructure through additional poles and wires. These costs are typically passed on to consumers under the Commerce Commission’s framework.

As an alternative, and as part of their energy transition programme, CentrePort is looking to pilot a Battery Energy Storage System at their Wellington site. This solution aims to help CentrePort:

• Manage their electricity demand within the current supply capacity.
• Continue their electrification and decarbonisation goals without triggering costly network upgrade

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Ara Ake is collaborating with CentrePort to support this pilot project, which seeks to demonstrate:

• Commercial energy innovation: Utilising a non-network solution to solve a network problem.
• Shared value creation: The potential value stack of a BESS across multiple commercial parties as there is likely value to Wellington Electricity to use the CentrePort BESS to manage constraints on the network.

Mr Delaney says CentrePort is pleased to be partnering with Ara Ake on this, the next step in the port’s energy transition. “It’s a great opportunity to show the benefits of a public/private partnership. This partnership means we continue to move at pace with our energy transition while reinforcing our position as the most efficient port in New Zealand.”

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Media

9 April 2025: Media release, CentrePort announces partner - pilot battery energy storage system

11 February 2025: BusinessDesk, CentrePort's battery should smooth the electrification path

25 November 2024: Media release, CentrePort to pilot battery energy storage system

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Resources

How can Battery Energy Storage Solutions be made commercially viable in New Zealand? Read our latest report, developed in collaboration with EECA and Sapere: Value Stacking: Application of BESS to many typical use cases.

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