Michelle Slater
Energy company Tilt Renewables has lodged a planning permit with the state government for a battery storage system on two sites on Monash Way adjacent to the Morwell Terminal Station.
The proposed Latrobe Valley Battery Energy Storage System would provide an output of 203 megawatts and 812 megawatt hours at the two sites.
The $243 million investment promises 150 direct and 240 indirect full-time equivalent jobs in the construction phase, and seven direct and 20 indirect full-time equivalent operating jobs.
The company has stated it would support the procurement of local goods and services and $24.3 million worth of investments would be retained in the area during construction.
However, the project is in its early phases and will be sent out for public notice once the Planning Minister is satisfied with the information presented in the application.
It comes as the state government is encouraging the development of large-scale energy storage as part of its Renewable Energy Action Plan to prompt investment in the renewables sector.
Tilt Renewables said large-scale energy storage would help to improve grid reliability by storing low-cost electricity when there is an oversupply or during low demand periods.
“Large-scale energy storage facilities also stabilise the grid during frequency disruptions and help reduce the frequency of blackouts and the need for load shedding in instances of supply imbalance,” the company said in a statement.
“Noting the Latrobe Valley’s established history as an energy producing region, the proposed Latrobe Valley BESS will continue this legacy by underpinning and supporting the transition to a renewable energy future.”
