Hide message
EnergyAustralia today confirmed it has received planning approval from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning for construction of its four-hour 350 MW utility-scale battery in the Latrobe Valley.
The Wooreen Energy Storage System will be located at Hazelwood North, alongside EnergyAustralia’s Jeeralang gas-fired power station, allowing the battery to use existing electricity and transmission infrastructure.
EnergyAustralia’s Head of Portfolio Development, Dan Nugent, says planning approval brings building the battery a step closer.
“The Wooreen Energy Storage System will be one of the largest battery storage systems in the world, when it’s completed in 2026.
“With the approval of the planning application, our focus now is on finalising procurement and the grid connection application ahead of starting construction of the battery next year.
“The project helps support the Latrobe Valley’s transition into a clean energy hub with the planned retirement of existing coal-fired power stations, including the closure of EnergyAustralia’s Yallourn power station in 2028.
“Wooreen will be able to power the equivalent of more than 230,000 Victorian households for four hours before being recharged. Its ability to store and rapidly supply energy during times of high demand will be vital in supporting solar and wind renewables as part of Victoria’s electricity system of the future.”