Maoneng secures grid approval for 240 MWp/480 MWh BESS in Victoria

Sydney-based renewables outfit Maoneng announced on Thursday it has received grid connection assessment approval for its 240 MWp/480 MWh Mornington battery energy storage system (BESS) in Victoria.

The approval by the Australian Energy Market Operator gives Maoneng the right to connect the BESS to an existing substation of grid operator AusNet.

To be installed at Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, the standalone battery is planned to store electricity and dispatch it to the grid during peak demand periods. It is expected to enhance the reliability of the regional power grid and support it during off-peak periods and during fluctuations in demand once it comes online in early 2024.

Maoneng obtained development approval for the AUD-190-million (USD 133.3m/EUR 126.9m) project in January. It will utilise lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology.

“This project is progressing at a time when demand for renewable energy and associated storage capacity is increasing, and we are seeing a lot more interest in battery projects both in Australia and internationally [..],” said Maoneng’s CEO Morris Zhou.

The Mornington BESS is one of several such projects to be realised by Maoneng across Australia. Earlier this month, the developer unveiled plans for a massive energy hub in New South Wales, incorporating 550 MW of solar and 400 MW/1,600 MWh of BESS capacity.

(AUD 1.0 = USD 0.701/EUR 0.668)

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