Plans to install a big battery with up to six hours of energy storage capacity in a sweet spot between Victoria’s coal generation heartland and Melbourne’s major electricity demand areas have been waved through the federal green queue.
The up to 400 megawatt (MW) and 2,400 megawatt-hour (MWh) Bunyip North Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) was this week determined not to require further assessment through the federal government’s environmental assessment process, the EPBC Act.
Res, the renewables developer behind the project, has welcomed the decision – which comes almost exactly one month after the project was referred for assessment – and says the project will now continue to progress through the relevant state and local planning processes.
When the project was referred to the EPBC, Res said the location for the battery was chosen to avoid other places that have sensitive environmental claims, or that were close to homes.
“Extensive environmental studies have confirmed the project is unlikely to have a significant impact on nationally protected species or habitats, and that gives us confidence as the project progresses through the assessment process,” Res director Greg Wilkinson said at the time.
