SEC and Energy Dome launch Australia's first 20 MW CO₂ compressed long‑duration storage plant in Victoria

Australian energy retailer SEC, through its new SEC Energy Works innovation precinct in the Latrobe Valley, will partner with clean‑technology firm Energy Dome to build a 20‑megawatt closed‑loop, compressed CO₂ battery. The 143‑hectare site at Hazelwood North will deliver continuous electricity for 10‑12 hours, marking the first long‑duration energy‑storage facility of its type in Victoria and the first commercial use of CO₂‑based storage in Australia.

The project aims to support the state’s target of 65 % renewable generation by 2030 by providing reliable, multi‑hour power during periods of low wind or solar output, thereby stabilising the grid and easing electricity prices. SEC CEO Chris Miller said long‑duration storage will be “foundational” for Victoria’s future energy system, while Energy Dome founder Claudio Spadacini called the partnership a “defining moment” for his company.