- Victoria has fast-tracked approvals for a 332 MW solar-plus-storage project and a 300 MW/1,200 MWh battery system under its Development Facilitation Programme.
- The projects, led by Energy Vault and Eku Energy, will power over 240,000 homes and support the state’s expansion of renewable energy.
The Victoria state government has fast-tracked approvals for a 332-megawatt (MW) solar park with 250 MW of co-located storage in the state’s northeast and a 300-MW/1,200-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery system in Gippsland, officials said on Saturday, November 1.
The government granted the permits for the Meadow Creek solar-plus-storage project near Wangaratta and the Tramway Road Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Hazelwood through its Development Facilitation Programme (DFP).
U.S.-based Energy Vault will construct the Meadow Creek project, which is expected to generate enough power to supply approximately 140,000 homes annually. Its 1,000-MWh battery will deliver electricity during peak evening hours to around 85,000 households.
Furthermore, Eku Energy, the UK-based battery platform of Macquarie’s Green Investment Group, will construct the Tramway Road BESS. The company plans to begin construction in 2026, complete the facility within 18 months, and start operations by the end of 2027. The standalone battery system will store electricity for roughly 104,000 homes during high-demand periods.
The Victoria government said it has accelerated 22 renewable energy projects worth more than AUD 7.8 billion (USD 5.1 billion) since it launched the DFP last year. Officials said the initiative demonstrates the state’s commitment to expanding clean energy generation and storage capacity to meet future demand.