The Victorian government in Australia has expedited the development of a 400MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and a 500MW solar-plus-storage project through its Development Facilitation Program (DFP). The project, referred to as the Dederang BESS, is being developed by Mint Renewables in northeast Victoria, close to the town of Dederang on the Kiewa Valley Highway.
This utility-scale BESS will cover a four-hectare area and is projected to cost approximately AU$280 million (US$182 million). It will connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM) via the adjacent Dederang Terminal Station, located to the north of the site. Additionally, a second BESS project being developed by Trina Solar, featuring a capacity of 500MW/1,000MWh, will be positioned directly south of the Dederang site.
A planning application for the Dederang BESS was submitted in November 2024 and is currently under review by the state planning department. Both BESS projects will be situated within the Ovens Murray Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), which aims to unlock up to 10GW of new renewable energy capacity across six designated zones in Victoria. Upon commencement of operations, Mint Renewables plans to establish a community fund valued at AU$70,000 annually to support local initiatives.
The DFP initiative, which was expanded last year to include renewable energy projects, seeks to accelerate the development of crucial infrastructure in Victoria. Previously, projects were required to navigate the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, resulting in delays of around two years for approximately 20% of applications. In recent months, the government has included several BESS sites in this expedited scheme. For example, ACEnergy’s 350MW/770MWh Little River BESS was added to the program last month, while Elgin Energy’s 500MWh Barwon Solar Farm was included in April, also located in the Little River region.
In addition to the Dederang project, Venn Energy has had its 500MW Cooba Solar Project selected for the DFP. This project, anticipated to come online in 2027, is situated in the rural town of Colbinabbin in Central Victoria. The area is known for its fertile red volcanic soil, making it a prime location for vineyards. The solar PV power plant will occupy a 1,147-hectare site, utilizing around 665 hectares of the land. If approved, it will have a lifespan of 30 years. Venn Energy cites “excellent” solar exposure and the proximity of an existing transmission line as key factors in the site selection. The BESS associated with this project will have a capacity of 300MW, with the duration to be determined by the developer.
Similar to the Dederang BESS, the local council, Campaspe Shire, has previously opposed the Cooba Solar Project. Project proponents are required to engage with neighboring property owners and relevant governmental agencies, including the Country Fire Authority, Agriculture Victoria, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and local water authorities.
In related news, Solar Media will host the Battery Asset Management Summit Australia 2025 on August 26-27 in Sydney. This summit aims to prepare the industry for future challenges by examining asset management fundamentals and operational issues, along with the latest in optimization and software development.
For further information about the summit, including ticket bookings, please visit the official website.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/victoria-accelerates-development-of-400mwh-battery-storage-and-500mw-solar-project/
