Akaysha Energy is seeking to develop a battery energy storage system (BESS) in collaboration with BZ Renewables about nine kilometres south-west of Glenrowan and five kilometres north-east of Winton.
General Manager of Development at Akaysha Energy, Tim Hoban, said the company is hoping to provide grid stability services, store energy from nearby electricity generation projects and the grid, and discharge energy to the grid during times of peak demand.
“The BESS is proposed to occupy approximately 10 hectares of a wider lot adjacent to the existing Winton Solar Farm,” he said.
Access to the facility would be from Glenwest Lane, connecting at the Winton-Glenrowan Rd near the existing substation.
As part of the development, the project team has proposed an upgrade to Glenwest Lane to accommodate project traffic.
The battery energy storage system is expected to have a capacity of 400MW/ 1600MWh, and would include a control room, substation and associated infrastructure for the 220kV transmission network.
“It really is an ideal site for this type of energy infrastructure. It’s relatively flat and close to the Glenrowan Terminal Station, which reduces the need for long-distance transmission lines,” Mr Hoban said.
“It’s nestled amongst energy generating solar farms, but it’s a significant distance to neighbouring homes.”
The site is surrounded by established solar farms and gently undulating hills, preventing views from the Hume Fwy.
As part of the planning process, several technical assessments are under way, including a fire and bushfire risk assessment which will be written with input from the CFA.
The development area has been found to have low bushfire risk, with no bushfire management overlay present.
The proposed project site would avoid significant native vegetation removal, and would be located on land already cleared for agriculture.
Senior Community Engagement Manager at Akaysha Energy, Jasmine Kerameas, said the remainder of the lot would continue to be used for grazing.
“As part of the site selection and feasibility, Akaysha and BZ Renewables have done a lot of stakeholder engagement,” she said.
“But we’re looking forward to sharing more details about the BESS with the local community and hearing feedback on the proposal.
“We are interested in any feedback, so this can be reflected in the application before it is lodged.
“This may result in changes to the design or layout, or additional mitigation measures to reduce impacts.
“We hope many locals can join us for a drop-in information session at the Glenrowan Recreation Reserve on Saturday, March 15 from 10am to 2pm.
“We are looking forward to talking about BESS technology and understanding what community benefit sharing opportunities we should be investing in.”
The project team, led by planning and engagement firm Cogency Australia, will be lodging a planning application with the Department of Transport and Planning in the coming weeks.
Subject to necessary approvals in 2025-26, construction of the project could begin in late 2026 and become operational in 2028.
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