Approval has been granted for Australia’s largest battery project that will store power for more than one million Victorian homes.
The Federal Government has granted environmental approval to the 1.2GW (2.4GWh) Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (artist’s impression above) which will be operated by Equis Australia and located in Plumpton, 25km from the Victorian capital’s CBD.
The project will store wind, hydro and solar energy from regional Victoria, and will be the biggest battery in the Asia-Pacific region and one of the largest in the world.
It will eclipse the 850MW (1.65GWh) Waratah Super Battery being developed in NSW, and the 500MW (2GWh) Collie battery being built in Western Australia.
READ MORE: New scheme to support energy storage projects in Victoria and SA
“We know renewable energy is cheaper, cleaner and crucial to helping us cut emissions and reach our goal of net zero by 2050,” says Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek.
“Projects such as this will help us transform our energy system and build it for the future.
“We’re undoing a decade of political fights that stalled progress and cost the environment.
“This is what action on climate change looks like: cutting emissions, investing in renewables and better protecting our environment.”
The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub will store extra energy generated by solar panels on Victorian roofs.
It will also create up to 365 jobs during construction – including the building of a solar farm – plus 30 ongoing positions.