The Glenrowan BESS will involve the construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of a battery energy storage system (BESS) and its associated infrastructure.
The BESS is expected to have a capacity of 400MW/ 1600MWh, and will include a control room, substation and associated infrastructure for the 220kV transmission network.
It will be located at 84 Glenwest Lane, adjacent to the Glenrowan West Solar Farm and Winton Solar Farm, in proximity to the Glenrowan Terminal Station on a rural landholding.
The BESS is proposed to occupy approximately 10 hectares (ha) of a wider 54 ha lot near the northern border (Refer Community Context Map). Access to the facility will be from Glenwest Lane, connecting at the Winton-Glenrowan Road near the existing substation. Glenwest Lane will be upgraded as part of the project to accommodate project traffic.
Project benefits
Reducing overall power prices by storing electricity to be used when there is a shortfall of supply
Increasing energy reliability at times of low energy generation
Proximity to the existing Glenrowan Terminal Station
Additional storage capacity for the National Energy Market (NEM)
Using new inverter technology to increase grid stability
Facilitate the transition to clean and renewable energy sources
Reducing impacts by colocation with other energy infrastructure
Design considerations
Located outside the Bushfire Management Overlay that impacts land to the south
Will follow detailed guidelines as established by the CFA to mitigate and manage bushfire risks
Sited away from dwellings and operated in accordance with detailed noise impact assessments to minimise impacts for neighbours and local residents.
Located to avoid native vegetation present on site.
Project benefits
Grid Connection
The BESS will connect into the Glenrowan Terminal Station via a short underground (580m) connection running under Glenwest Lane
Site suitability
Glenrowan BESS
Site suitability
Agriculture (grazing)
Land use
Fire risk
Neighbours
Visual impact
Native vegetation
Rural dwelling
BESS located outside of Bushfire Management Overlay
Relatively flat terrain
Significant distance to neighbouring dwellings
Solar farms
Agriculture (grazing)
Not visible from Hume Freeway
No Significant Landscape Overlay
Flat to gently undulating landscape
Planning scheme does not recognise landscape value of site or immediate surrounds
Sits within a semi developed landscape
Colocation reduces the need for development of long distance transmission lines
Minimal native vegetation removal
Below: Artist impression of Glenrowan BESS site
Below: Map of Central North REZ (Source: Vicgrid, 2025)
Fire & Noise considerations
Glenrowan
BESS
Fire mitigation
The development footprint sits outside of the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) which lies to the southeast of the site area (see Overlay Plan)
The design and layout of the battery aligns with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) Design Guidelines and Model Requirements for Renewable Energy Facilities (2025) and features a range of fire prevention measures, such as: Fire breaks
Water tanks
Perimeter roads
Secondary access point, and Firewater retention basin.
Engagement with the local Winton and Glenrowan CFA occurred in March 2025. The CFA will be a referral authority for the planning application and will scrutinise the location and design.
A Fire Safety Study has been prepared by NJM Design as part of the planning application, which concluded that the fire safety risk associated with the Project is low and acceptable. It is expected that conditions will be applied to any permit requiring a Fire Risk Management Plan, along with other fire related conditions.
Overlay plan
Plan
Noise
A noise impact assessment was prepared by SLR Consulting to ensure the proposed BESS is designed to minimise impacts for local residents.
The findings indicated that the proposed BESS with appropriate mitigation measures meets compliance with relevant noise standards, with minimal impacts on neighbouring dwellings to be expected.
The closest dwelling on Winton-Glenrowan Road is expected to experience peak noise of 30db, a very quiet level equivalent to the rustling of leaves moving in the wind.
Overlay
Planning process & timeline Glenrowan BESS
Planning approvals pathway
Before the project can commence, a planning permit is required under the Benalla Planning Scheme.
The Minister for Planning in the State Government is the responsible authority or decision maker for the planning permit application, after receiving advice from the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
The Minister and DTP will assess the application against the policies, controls and guidelines of the Benalla Planning Scheme. As part of this assessment, they will consider responses from referral authorities, such as VicRoads and the CFA, and any submissions received from the community. The Rural City of Benalla has an important role in providing local input and making a submission.
After lodgement of the planning application in June 2025, the applicant responded to a number of questions in relation to flora and fauna, noise, and access. DTP is now satisfied that the application is complete and is ready for exhibition.
Head, Transport of Victoria (referral authority) has responded to the referral, stating that they do not object to the application, subject to conditions.
Before the Proposal is approved, authorities check to make sure it.... Have
The Planning Application has been lodged with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
The application is currently under initial assessment by DTP and is now on public exhibition until 13 November 2025, during which time the community is invited to review the documents and make submissions. Although the 13 November is the date listed, DTP will continue to accept any submissions until a decision is made, which is not expected for several weeks.
Any submissions will be considered by the State Government in making its decision.
Interested parties are also encouraged to provide feedback or ask questions through the email, phone line, or here, at the Community Drop-In Session.
Flora & fauna Glenrowan BESS
Flora and fauna
An ecological assessment was prepared that assessed the entire landholding at 84 Glenwest Lane, as well as along the proposed route of the transmission line and road upgrade in Glenwest Lane.
The assessment was undertaken in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) (Cth) as well as other relevant state and federal legislation, and found that the proposed works are unlikely to significantly impact threatened species or ecological communities under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic) or EPBC Act.
Of note in this area is the native trees (Ironbark) providing habitat for the Regent Honeyeater. The assessment found that the minimal vegetation loss means that the species habitat will not be significantly impacted.
Impacts have been minimised through careful siting and design, however there will be some impacts to native vegetation:
Five trees (including four large trees and one dead stag) will be removed for the BESS, road upgrades, and transmission line works.
Some planted vegetation at the Glenrowan Terminal Station will be cleared for cabling but is exempt from planning approval.
Minor pruning of roadside trees along Glenwest Lane will be required for vehicle access.
Considerable effort has been made to avoid vegetation loss, particularly along Glenwest Lane, where the transmission has been placed underground and will be constructed mostly using horizontal drilling to minimise impacts. The route chosen will follow the existing track, avoiding roadside trees.
Overall, the project will result in minimal vegetation loss and no significant ecological impacts.
Oversized Overmass Vehicle Access and Tree Pruning
One Mile Grid prepared swept paths for the largest vehicle entering the BESS Site using access along Glenwest Lane to identify any tree pruning or removal that may be required to facilitate access.
Akaysha Energy is a dedicated ‘build, own and operate’ developer of large-scale battery energy storage systems We are headquartered in Melbourne and made up of long-standing energy sector professionals experienced in the development and deployment of large-scale batteries and renewables
We manage and develop a range of BESS projects across Australia, including the Waratah Super Battery in NSW on the site of the former Munmorah coalfired power station Akaysha is owned by Blackrock, one of the world’s largest investors
Akaysha’s aims to be the centre of excellence for battery storage solutions We strive to facilitate the decarbonisation of the energy market, contribute to positive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) outcomes, and set the best practice for community engagement and benefit sharing in BESS developments
Akaysha’s core values operate alongside our brand purpose and serve to guide interactions between the proponent, the client, community, and the stakeholders
Commitment to engagement
We are committed to respectfully engaging with the communities in which we plan to develop projects, to be sensitive to environmental and cultural values, and to make a positive contribution to the lives of people residing
Projects
Akaysha’s core values
Collaboration We succeed together
Evidence Driven by data and empirical approach
Authenticity We do what we say
Safety Every day in every way
Scrappiness Find a way to get things done
within their host communities The Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan prepared for this project and endorsed by Akaysha Energy outlines our commitment to genuine and meaningful engagement
Small Grants Program & Benefit-Sharing Glenrowan BESS
Akaysha Energy invites applications from community groups and organisations (Applicant) who wish to contribute to the sustainable development of their communities to apply for grant funding for a Project during the development phase of the Glenrowan BESS About the small grants program
Eligibility and evaluation criteria
Applications for funding must align with the Akaysha Energy Social License Framework, and must meet the following criteria:
The Applicant must be a registered non-profit organisation, or community group
The Project or the Applicant must have a direct link with an Akaysha Community
The Applicant must demonstrate capacity to manage the funding and report on the Project outcomes
Requested funding should not exceed an amount of $5,000.
The Project should address one or more of the following:
Enhance education, healthcare or cultural development
Promote sustainability, the environment and conservation
Promote, provide or support the provision of basic energy services.
Actively contribute to driving and improving the socio-economic system of the community in which Akaysha operates
To apply for the small grant fund, head to: https://community.akayshaenergy.com/Applications
For more information and to learn more about Akaysha’s work with different communities across their BESS projects, head to their website: https://community.akayshaenergy.com/
Community benefit-sharing
As part of Akaysha’s commitment to proactive community engagement, benefit-sharing opportunities will be developed as the Glenrowan BESS progresses toward construction Benefit-sharing outcomes will be tailored to local community needs and designed to create a positive, long-term legacy in the region.
Akaysha will host a community workshop on benefit-sharing prior to the commencement of construction of the BESS
Local procurement opportunities will also be available during construction, with suppliers and trades encouraged to register their interest through the community portal here: https://community akayshaenergy com/Applications
Concept layout plans
Glenrowan BESS
What is proposed?
We have plans to build a new BESS at 84 Glenwest Lane, Glenrowan West, to connect into the Glenrowan Terminal Station.
