Another two big battery projects fast-tracked through state planning process

The Victorian Labor government has fast-tracked planning approval for another two new battery energy storage system (BESS) projects with a combined capacity of 700 megawatts and more than four hours of storage.

Victorian minister for planning Sonya Kilkenny said on Monday approval had been given to the around 300 MW, 1140 megawatt hour (MWh) Heywood battery in the state’s south-west, and the 400 MW, 1,600 MWh Glenrowan battery project.

The approvals have been made through the state’s Development Facilitation Program (DFP), and take the number of project approvals to 25 since the DFP was expanded to include renewable energy and storage projects less than two years ago,.

The Heywood battery is being developed by Atmos Renewables close to AusNet’s Heywood terminal station, and is expected to reach financial close within the next 15 months.

The Glenrowan project is being developed by Akaysha Energy and is located close to AusNet’s Glenrowan Terminal Station, north-east of Winton, and in an area with many existing solar projects. It is expected to provide essential grid services to the local grid as well as power in peak demand periods.

Glenrowan is one of three being developed in Victoria by Akaysha, along with the Elaine battery project which recently struck a long term off take agreement with Snowy Hydro, and the Deer Park battery which has won one of the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme tenders.

“The Development Facilitation Program is all about making good decisions, faster,” Kilkenny said in a statement.

“This fast-tracked pathway has unlocked more than $9 billion worth of investment into renewable energy projects, helping provide cheaper and cleaner energy to hundreds of thousands of Victorian households.”

Developers of both projects were required to undertake consultation with local communities and stakeholders as well as relevant government agencies including local councils, the Country Fire Authority, AusNet, and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

See Renew Economy’s Big Battery Storage Map of Australia for more information.

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