Baranduda Electrical Energy Reserve
Baranduda Energy Reserve seeks to lower power prices by connecting a large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to the Australian grid at the Wodonga Terminal Station in the Baranduda Industrial Estate. The sponsor for this project is Australian investment manager, Birdwood Energy, and investors include Australian superannuation funds.
A planning application has been submitted for the project, which has a total investment value greater than $500m.
The project aims to store and release energy to complement household rooftop solar, and help stabilise the electricity grid and reduce power prices, benefiting local residents, businesses and industry in North East Victoria, Southern New South Wales and beyond.
The project will be located in the existing industrial estate in Baranduda Drive and will comprise of a 400MW/1800MWh BESS and associated infrastructure. It would occupy approximately 17 hectares directly adjacent to the Ausnet Wodonga Terminal Station (in Baranduda).
The site is well suited due to its proximity to the terminal station in an established industrial area that is buffered from residential areas. The site has no landscape or fire overlays and is not in an area with known agricultural values. Concept designs follow detailed guidelines that have been established by the Country Fire Authority to mitigate and manage fire risk. Any approval is likely subject to dozens of conditions to further reduce impacts.
Birdwood Energy is a specialist investor in the energy sector with a $2 billion investment portfolio of generation and storage projects across Australia and Europe in development, construction and operation. The project has engaged Cogency to assist with the stakeholder and community engagement for the BESS.
Birdwood Energy is committed to ensuring the Baranduda and Albury/Wodonga community benefits from the construction and operation of the BESS and will engage with local businesses to support the project. Interested business are encouraged to register their interest below.
The project team seeks to meet with neighbours, Baranduda residents and interested groups to explain the proposal and receive feedback on the Planning Application. This is part of a wider community engagement strategy that aims ensure that neighbours and interested locals are well informed about the project, involved in key decision making, and have any questions answered and concerns responded to.
Following the submission of the planning application, the public has the opportunity to make submissions about the proposal and have those submissions considered in the Minister for Planning’s decision.