Infrastructure group Gamuda Australia and renewable energy developer Yanara have signed the delivery contract for Stage 1 of the Mortlake Energy Hub (MEH-1) in western Victoria, clearing the path for construction to begin on the hybrid solar and battery project.
The agreement transitions the project into its engineering, procurement and construction phase following Gamuda’s initial appointment under an Early Contractor Involvement arrangement in October 2025.
Early works, including intersection upgrades on the nearby Hamilton Highway, are slated to begin in the coming weeks, ahead of main construction scheduled for November.
Located in Victoria’s south-west, MEH-1 will integrate a 435-megawatt solar farm with a 300-megawatt, 4.5-hour duration battery energy storage system.
The hybrid facility will connect directly to the state’s existing 500-kilovolt transmission network via the Mortlake Terminal Station, enabling renewable power to be stored and dispatched on demand.
The facility is scheduled to be energised in April 2028, with full commercial operations targeted for the first quarter of 2029. Once operational, MEH-1 is expected to generate enough clean electricity to supply roughly 200,000 Victorian households annually.
“MEH-1 is entering a critical phase of delivery, and our partnership with Gamuda brings together the expertise, capability and shared ambition needed to realize this landmark project,” said David Delmas, Australia CEO, Yanara.
“Beyond its scale, MEH represents the next generation of clean energy infrastructure, combining renewable generation and storage to deliver reliable, dispatchable power while creating lasting economic value for local communities and Victoria’s energy future,” he added.
The project will also play a role in helping Victoria meet its statutory renewable energy targets of 65 per cent by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035, alongside the state’s net-zero emissions target for 2045.
Gamuda Engineering Australia CEO Ewan Yee noted that the contract marks the company’s entry into Victoria’s infrastructure sector, creating more than 300 local jobs during delivery.
Yee highlighted that progressing design and procurement to roughly 80 per cent during the early phase significantly de-risks project delivery while allowing for targeted community engagement.