The Victorian and federal governments have taken a significant step towards securing the Latrobe Valley’s renewable energy future with the commencement of construction on EnergyAustralia’s 350 megawatt (MW) Wooreen Battery.
VIC Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio announced the project, which is set to create new jobs and reduce energy prices in the region.
The Wooreen Battery, located at the former Jeeralang Power Station site in Hazelwood North, will have the capacity to power 230,000 homes for a four-hour period before requiring a recharge.
The project is expected to generate 80 jobs during its construction phase and is scheduled to be operational by 2027, injecting cheap renewable energy into the grid.
This large-scale battery storage facility is part of a broader strategy to increase renewable energy capacity in Victoria.
For every gigawatt of battery storage built, three gigawatts of new renewable energy can be integrated into the grid, leading to more affordable electricity and lower power prices.
The Wooreen Battery project is a key component of the Victorian government’s Structured Transition Agreement (STA) with EnergyAustralia, which aims to support workers and industry in preparation for the closure of the Yallourn power station in 2028.
The STA includes initiatives for worker retraining, reskilling, and new employment opportunities, as well as supply chain transition programs and a worker transfer scheme.
Victoria is rapidly becoming a hub for big battery projects, with 12 currently operational and 13 more under construction or commissioning.
This progress aligns with the state’s ambitious renewable energy storage target of at least two gigawatts by 2030.
The project has received financial backing from the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme, which supports the development of clean, renewable energy and storage to replace retiring coal-fired generators.
VIC Minister D’Ambrosio emphasised the importance of the project, stating: “The Wooreen Battery will help the Latrobe Valley continue to be the state’s energy generation powerhouse and allow for more renewable projects to be built in the area.”
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen highlighted the benefits of renewable energy, stating: “Switching to clean reliable renewable energy isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for power bills, and it’s great for good, secure jobs.”
As Victoria progresses towards its goal of 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035, large-scale storage projects like the Wooreen Battery will play a crucial role in harnessing and distributing clean energy, ultimately driving down costs for Victorian households.
