Victoria has welcomed a global energy company’s growth plans.
The Victorian Government is backing an expansion by US-based energy storage firm Fluence, which will see the company grow its national headquarters in Melbourne and add up to 100 technical and engineering roles.
The move, announced by Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson, is part of the Allan Government’s broader effort to build domestic capacity in grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) as the state accelerates towards its 95 per cent renewables target by 2035.
Fluence, a major supplier of lithium-ion BESS technology and control systems, is already active in several Victorian energy projects, including installations in the Latrobe Valley.
Australia is the company’s second-largest market after the United States.
The government is positioning Victoria as a hub for renewable energy and battery storage expertise, citing recent inward investment by another international player, Energy Dome, which established its Asia-Pacific base in Melbourne earlier this year.
Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the investment supported the state’s long-term storage needs.
“We’re proud to lead the nation in renewable energy and battery storage which is key to storing our cheap renewable energy for when it’s needed most,” she said.
While the government emphasised jobs and economic growth, the strategic value lies in boosting local engineering and integration capacity to meet future grid needs.
Large-scale BESS are critical for maintaining system stability as coal exits the National Electricity Market.
Fluence’s General Manager Jason Beer noted the role of BESS in grid resilience and said the company welcomed the Victorian Government’s continued support.