The Bulabul 2 BESS is located near Wuuluman in New South Wales.
The project was named by the Binjang Clan of the Wiradjuri people. "Bulabul" means "two acting together," symbolising the partnership between the community and the project, and the meeting of the Bell and Macquarie rivers at Wellington.
The project is a 406 megawatt hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS).
It is being undertaken by AMPYR Australia.
CIS Tender number: 3
Announced: September 2025
First Nations Merit Criteria in Tender
In all Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender contracts, the proponent must demonstrate and ensure strong local First Nations engagement with First Nations people, and also groups potentially impacted. In this tender, proponents were also assessed on:
- the Proponent’s approach to engagement strategies and understanding of Traditional Owners and First Nations communities, including evidence of respectful and productive engagement, and for First Nations communities to be afforded genuine social and economic opportunities and partnerships.
- community engagement.
- the Proponent’s commitments to improve First Nations economic and social outcomes, including economic participation for Traditional Owners and First Nations communities. Examples of commitments include opportunities for equity and revenue sharing and energy offtake agreement models for First Nation communities.
- Social Licence commitments including those made in respect of First Nations.
Company’s commitments to ensure First Nations benefits
There are no publicly available copies of the company's Social Impact Commitments or their commitment to First Nations benefits in relation to this Tender.
The company however has announced a First Nations equity sharing scheme, originally developed for their Bulabul 1 BESS.
In Bulabul 1 BESS, AMPYR agreed to an equity partnership with the Wellington Aboriginal Community giving Wambal Bila, a community-controlled corporation, the right to invest in a 5% equity share in Bulabul 1. AMPYR states, 'The equity stake includes a preferred, fixed annual return and a share of ongoing equity returns alongside other investors. Over the life of Bulabul 1, this is expected to deliver total returns of $20-$30 million, after interest and costs, to the Wellington Aboriginal Community. Wambal Bila and AMPYR have agreed to pursue similar arrangements for Wambal Bila 2.’
Legal advisors to Wambal Bila state ‘this equity interest secures ongoing revenue and profit participation for Wambal Bila'.
Where is the project up to?
The project has been announced.
Bulabul 2 is expected to begin construction in 2026, with full operation in 2027.
Project documents can be found here or through the Department of Planning and Environment’s Major Projects here.
Engage with the company
- Register your business for opportunities with this project here
- Discover packages available for the project through ICN here
- Online feedback form here
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1800 718 538
Contact the tender provider
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Keep up to date with the Capacity Investment Scheme
Contact the First Nations Clean Energy Network
- Email: [email protected]