Pacific Green has secured a planning permit from the Victorian government to develop its second grid-scale battery energy park in Australia, located in Portland, Victoria.
The Portland Energy Park will provide up to one gigawatt (GW) of firming capacity and will be constructed over the next 36 months in phases.
Once completed, it is expected to become Australia’s largest battery energy park, significantly advancing Victoria’s energy storage capabilities and supporting the state’s transition to net-zero emissions.
The project aims to avoid approximately 66,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually once operational.
This development is part of Pacific Green’s broader pipeline, which includes over seven gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery energy parks across Australia’s National Electricity Market.
The Portland Energy Park, situated within an industrial zone on Madeira Packet Road near key facilities such as the Portland Aluminium Smelter, will contribute to energy security for local industries and upgrade nearby electrical infrastructure.
The project underwent comprehensive technical, environmental, and operational assessments, alongside extensive community and stakeholder engagement, including consultations with First Nations representatives.
Pacific Green’s management expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential, with Scott Poulter, Chairman and Group CEO, stating: “Drawing on our global expertise in developing energy parks across the UK, Europe and Australia, the Portland project will play a major role in decarbonising Australia’s energy system.
“Its scale underlines our ambition to become a leading developer in the market and to accelerate the nation’s transition to renewables through a multi-gigawatt platform.”
Victoria’s state government facilitated the fast-tracking of this project through its Development Facilitation Program, which expedites renewable and critical energy infrastructure projects.
Minister for Planning, Hon. Sonya Kilkenny, highlighted that the pathway has helped unlock over $6 billion in renewable energy investments, providing cleaner and cheaper energy to Victorian households.
The Portland Energy Park’s timeline includes phased development, with the first 250MW expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2026.
Once fully operational, the project will be a cornerstone in Victoria’s energy infrastructure, bolstering regional stability and helping the state achieve its decarbonisation targets.