Image Credit: GPG Australia
The Victoria Labor government says it has fast-tracked approval of a new big battery project that will be sited next to two of the state’s most recently commissioned wind farms.
The planning approval has been given to Spanish-owned GPG to built the Tarrone battery, a $190 million project that will be sized at up to 200 MW and 400 MWh, according to planning documents filed with the state government.
The battery will be sited next to the Tarrone sub-station, which is also used by the newly completed 218 MW Ryan Corner and the 97 MW Hawkesdale wind farms, which are also owned by GPG, as well as the older 400 MW Macarthur wind farm.
It’s also sited near to a proposed 600 MW gas powered generator that AGL gained planning approval for in 2010, although the company says it has no current plans to develop that project.
The state government says the Tarrone battery will soak up and store cheap renewable energy during the day that can be pumped back into the electricity grid at times of peak demand, helping to deliver cheaper energy bills and reliable electricity to Victorian homes and businesses.
It says the the decision follows consultation with residents, stakeholders, council, the Country Fire Authority, Ausnet, Worksafe and Moyne Shire Council. The planning approval documents note that only one objection was received.
The state government says it has fast-tracked 16 projects worth a combined $4.4 billion since launching its Development Facilitation Program designed to avoid delays of up to two years that had affected more than one in five development applications.
It says renewable energy investments have delivered the lowest wholesale power prices in the country to Victoria, although it is in a race to meet its target of 95 per cent renewables by 2035.
“We’re fast-tracking decisions on renewable energy projects like this one to provide cheaper and cleaner energy for more Victorians,” state planning minister Sonya Kilkenny said in a statement.
This Battery Energy Storage System is another way we’re shoring up energy supply and assisting our transition to 95 percent renewable energy by 2035,” state energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio added.
Please go to Renew Economy’s Big Battery Storage Map for more information.
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