Renewable energy solutions provider Pacific Green is set to embark on the development of one of Australia’s largest grid-scale battery energy parks.
Following their initial Australian battery project in South Australia, announced in November 2023, the company is now eyeing a 2.5GWh energy park in Portland, Victoria.
In a news release, the company said the Portland Energy Park aims to play a crucial role in supporting existing and upcoming renewable energy ventures within Victoria’s Southwest Renewable Energy Zone.
Beyond regional impact, the project is expected to fortify energy supply, ensure price stability for households across Victoria, and contribute significantly to the state’s journey towards achieving net zero.
With a focus on accelerating the transition to renewable energy during peak evening hours and displacing more costly gas generation, the Portland Energy Park anticipates a substantial 3.8 per cent reduction in total wholesale energy costs for Victorian households.
Additionally, the park’s energy discharge is poised to prevent approximately 66,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Joel Alexander, Pacific Green managing director in Australia, expressed excitement about the project, stating, “Our mission is to deliver critical storage infrastructure to support the grid network and enable the decarbonisation of the energy market.”
He continued, “The Portland Energy Park will significantly reduce Victoria’s wholesale market volatility and, in turn, lower prices during the transition towards net-zero.”
Strategically located within the Portland industrial zone, the Energy Park will coexist seamlessly with the Portland Aluminium smelter and the Portland Water Treatment Plant.
The proposed project encompasses around 30 hectares and includes four 250MW battery energy parks, a 500/33kV collector, and a 500kV terminal station, with grid connection to the existing 500kV transmission line.
The Portland Energy Park is currently undergoing regulatory approvals and is slated for construction in the first half of 2025.
