Victoria has unveiled another renewable milestone with the completion of a massive battery storage system in Melbourne’s southeast with the support of Eku Energy and Shell.
Located near the Cranbourne Terminal Station, the Rangebank Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) represents a collaboration between Eku Energy and Shell Energy, with Fluence serving as the construction and BESS partner.
According to Eku, this project is Victoria’s second largest BESS and marks the company’s third commissioned battery globally, further solidifying its presence in the energy storage sector.
“Rangebank BESS represents a significant achievement for Eku Energy and further demonstrates our commitment to advancing battery storage solutions worldwide. It’s an honour to work alongside our partners to deliver innovative, impactful energy solutions for a sustainable future,” Tom Best, CEO of Eku Energy said.
Under a 20-year tolling agreement, Shell Energy Australia will harness the full capacity of the Rangebank BESS to optimise energy supply for its customers.
“Rangebank BESS is an important addition to Shell Energy’s battery portfolio being our first grid-scale battery investment in Victoria and Shell’s first direct equity investment in a utility-scale BESS globally. It will help support a more resilient power system in Victoria, and a more reliable energy supply for our customers as the energy market continues to evolve,” Tony Keeling, Shell Energy Australia CEO said.
Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio celebrated the project as a cornerstone of Victoria’s ambitious renewable energy targets, highlighting its role in stabilising the grid and advancing the state’s clean energy transition.
“The Rangebank battery will have the storage capacity to power the equivalent of 80,000 Victorian homes for an hour during peak periods,” she said.
“Our nation-leading renewable energy storage targets provide certainty and underpin confidence as we deliver the infrastructure our state needs to continue to drive us forward.”
Victoria is positioning itself as a leader in energy storage, with the Rangebank battery joining 11 existing large-scale storage systems across the state.
The government aims to achieve 2.6 gigawatts of storage capacity by 2030 and 6.3 gigawatts by 2035, with a target of generating 95 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2035.
The battery’s innovative design features a contiguous concrete slab and external high-voltage cabling, ensuring efficient maintenance and operational longevity.
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