Turnbull Renewables plans giga-scale battery near Melbourne

Turnbull Renewables and BZ Renewables are planning to co-develop a giga-scale battery project near Melbourne. The proposed Middle Hut battery, located near the suburb of Doreen, is expected to have a capacity of 290 megawatt (MW) and 1.16 gigawatt-hour (GWh).

The estimated $500 million project is slated to become operational around 2029. The site is situated within a Green Wedge Zone and is noted for being in a bushfire-prone area with sensitivities regarding aboriginal cultural heritage and environmental significance.

While the Nillumbik Shire Council has not yet formed a formal position, it expects a planning application to be lodged this month. The project aims to connect to existing transmission lines, potentially benefiting from grid upgrades planned by Vicgrid to manage electricity flows as coal power stations close.