Victoria Energy Storage Project Layout Planning

Are battery energy storage systems approved in Victoria?

Authored by: Partner Stephanie Vatala and Associate Jake Meyers The nature and size of battery energy storage systems (BESS) varies considerably, as can their planning approval pathway depending on their location. In Victoria (Vic), there are limited approval pathways for BESS projects.

How many energy storage projects are there in western Victoria?

In March 2018, 2 projects in Western Victoria were chosen to be part of The Energy Storage Initiative – one in Ballarat and one in Gannawarra. Construction for the Ballarat and Gannawarra Energy Storage Systems was completed in late 2018. Both batteries began operating over the summer of 2018 and 2019.

Can Victorian energy storage be connected by 2035?

Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said the new approvals pathway is playing a key role in achieving the state’s energy storage targets of connecting at least 2.6 GW of energy storage capacity by 2030 and at least 6.3 GW by 2035.

How many large-scale storage systems does Victoria have?

Victoria has 12 commissioned large-scale storage systems and 3 in commissioning – with a total output capacity of 1028 MW and storage capacity of more than 1.7 GWh. Storage capacity = how much total energy is stored in each battery. Output capacity = how much energy a battery can provide at a given time.