The Connewarren 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 approximately 1,000MW/4,000MWh. The development of the BESS will also include a control room, substation and associated infrastructure, such as fencing and landscaping.
It will be located on the south side of Connewarren Lane, opposite the Mortlake Power Station and Mortlake Terminal Station. The BESS is expected to connect into the National Energy Market via an underground 500kV cable into the Terminal Station.
The BESS area will occupy approximately 15 hectares (ha) of a much larger farming property.
Indicative timeline and milestones
Project benefits
Reducing impacts by co-locating the BESS with other energy infrastructure.
Reducing overall power prices by storing electricity to be used when there is a shortfall of supply.
Additional storage capacity for the National Energy Market (NEM).
Facilitate the transition to clean and renewable energy sources.
Increasing energy reliability at times of low energy generation.
*Public exhibition of the planning scheme amendment is at the Minister’s discretion. Akaysha committed to undertaking meaningful and comprehensive community and stakeholder engagement throughout the process and beyond approvals. Feedback received will be considered in the design and layout of the BESS.
Why here?
Proximity to Mortlake Terminal Station
Support for nearby, existing and proposed energy generation projects
Within the south-west Renewable Energy Zone
Using a small area of open agricultural land.
Connewarren BESS Artists Impression
Akaysha Energy
Connewarren BESS
Today’s most tomorrow company
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 coal-fired 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
Akaysha 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.
Planning approvals process
Connewarren BESS
Planning scheme amendment
Before the Project can proceed, a planning scheme amendment to the Moyne Planning Scheme is required.
A planning scheme amendment process is not typically required to approve a BESS. However, a restrictive covenant on the title is preventing a standard planning permit application process. A planning scheme amendment is sought to:
Vary the restrictive covenant that currently applies to the development area.
Why does the covenant need to be varied?
The covenant relates to the nearby Mortlake Power Station. It was initially introduced to prevent the construction of dwellings or other sensitive uses surrounding the Power Station, in order to avoid land use and amenity conflicts. However, the covenant is excessively restrictive, preventing any use other than agriculture, primary production, grazing and horticulture
This unnecessarily broad restriction prevents the development and use of the land for a battery, despite being a suitable location.
The planning scheme amendment application proposes to vary the covenant to the minimum extent necessaryspecifically, to facilitate the use and development of the Project. The covenant will still operate to restrict other land uses - including dwellings - surrounding the Power Station.
Introduce a Special Controls Overlay to the project area to enable the use and development of the Project (similarly to a planning permit).
Amendment assessment and approval
The Minister for Planning is the decision maker (responsible authority) for the planning scheme amendment. The Minister will also receive advice from the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) prior to making her decision.
The planning scheme amendment process is the most efficient pathway for planning approval of the Project. The Minister can assess the covenant variation and the Project at the same time.
Community feedback
You will still have opportunity to make submissions about the planning scheme amendment and provide feedback on the Project. Akaysha is also working closely with other stakeholders, such as Moyne Shire Council, throughout the amendment and project design process.
Concept Layout Plan
Connewarren BESS
Site Photos
Connewarren BESS
View north from Site to Mortlake Terminal Station. View south within Site.
Existing farm dam southeast of development area. View within Site.
View southeast from existing farm access point in Site
Existing drain and gas pipeline easement, directly east of BESS development area.
