Glenbrook Battery Energy Storage System

Hick Bros successfully delivered the civil enabling works for the Glenbrook BESS—a 100MW grid-connected energy storage facility comprising 56 Tesla 2XL Megapacks and 28 transformers. Designed to store renewable energy from hydro, geothermal, and wind sources, the system powers up to 44,000 homes for two hours during peak demand, enhancing grid efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

Client

Contact Energy Ltd

Status

Complete

duration

2024 - 2025

Location

Auckland

volume of earthwork

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No. of Megapacks

No. of Transformers

Brief

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Solution

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Our scope included full site earthworks, civil construction of the BESS pad and access road, stormwater management, concrete foundations for all major infrastructure, trenching for 33kV cabling, and installation support for Megapacks, transformers, and auxiliary equipment. We also managed environmental controls in line with GD05 standards and coordinated closely with multiple contractors to ensure seamless delivery.

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Despite evolving design requirements and progressive IFC drawing releases, Hick Bros maintained programme momentum, met milestone dates, and delivered high-quality outcomes. Our proactive design reviews, stakeholder coordination, and value engineering—such as trench drainage innovations and foundation redesigns—minimised rework and enhanced construction efficiency.

Services & scope of work

Erosion and Sediment Controls

Bulk earthworks

Stormwater

Roading Construction

Cabling

Concrete Works

Structures

Lifting Operations

Project highlights

Programme:

Hicks efficiently managed uncertainties in the delivery of Megapacks and Transformers, ensuring that, despite none of the deliveries aligning with CEL’s provided dates, the milestone completion date for installation was still met.

Stakeholder Management:

Although Hicks was initially scheduled to complete works before other contractors commenced, programme pressures required simultaneous operations, necessitating close liaison and collaboration on site. Despite delays caused by design discrepancies and interface challenges, Hicks maintained progress, adapted to evolving conditions, and successfully delivered the works in coordination with all stakeholders, including Omexom and ENTEC.

Value Added Engineering:

Hicks identified the need to verify the positioning of auxiliary transformer ducts relative to the control room centre foundations and requested CEL’s confirmation before works commenced. CEL later discovered a conflict between the ducts and the control centre footings and repositioned the auxiliary transformer foundations, Hicks’ early intervention helped prevent reworks.