Victoria has approved its biggest-ever renewable battery, a one-gigawatt storage facility in Portland.
The battery is set to anchor the state’s energy transition and provide firming capacity for hundreds of thousands of households.
Pacific Green’s $1.3 billion Portland Energy Park will deliver 1GW/2.5GWh of storage through four 250MW battery units. Located within Portland’s industrial hub on Madeira Packet Road, the facility will connect to the grid via a new terminal station tied into existing transmission lines. Once operational, the project is expected to avoid 66,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
The development was granted approval under the Allan Labor Government’s Development Facilitation Program, a scheme expanded in 2024 to accelerate clean energy projects.
Since its introduction, more than $6 billion worth of renewable investments have been fast-tracked. Prior to the program, one in five project applications were delayed at VCAT despite ultimately receiving approval.
Pacific Green said construction will roll out in phases over the next 36 months, creating around 300 jobs, with 60 ongoing positions once operational.
The company has committed to biodiversity protection, bushfire safety compliance, road upgrades, and noise management. Local cultural heritage considerations, informed by First Peoples representatives, influenced the final design.
“Our fast-tracked pathway has unlocked more than $6 billion worth of investment into renewable energy projects – helping provide cheaper and cleaner energy to hundreds of thousands of Victorian households,” said Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny.
“This $1.3 billion battery will soak up cheap renewable power during the day and deliver it when demand peaks – powering 345,000 homes and slashing energy bills across the state,” said Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio.
Pacific Green executives framed the approval as a major milestone.
“Drawing on our global expertise in developing energy parks across the UK, Europe and Australia, the Portland project will play a major role in decarbonising Australia’s energy system,” Chairman and Group CEO Scott Poulter said.
Managing Director Joel Alexander emphasised the regional dimension.
“Once operational, Portland will stand as Australia’s largest grid-scale battery, driving Victoria’s energy transition forward. At a regional level, we extend our thanks to local First Nations representatives, the community and stakeholders for their engagement,” he said
The Portland Energy Park follows Pacific Green’s 1GWh Limestone Coast battery project in South Australia and forms part of the company’s 7GWh pipeline across the National Electricity Market.
Its location near the Portland Aluminium Smelter and Portland Water Treatment Plant positions it to support both industrial energy security and broader grid stability.