Feedback sought on Terang battery project

Published on 10 June 2020

Corangamite Shire Council seeks community feedback on a $100 million proposal to store surplus electricity on land outside of Terang.

The Terang Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project by ACEnergy involves installing up to 78 shipping containers on 1.4 hectares of land at 70 Littles Lane, next to the Terang Terminal Station.

Lithium ion phosphate batteries housed in the shipping containers will store up to 100MW of electricity not needed by the National Electricity Market and dispatch at times of high demand or grid unreliability.

Corangamite Shire Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mason said the project was a significant investment that would create jobs and improve electricity grid stability and reliability for the region.

“This is a major project for Terang and the economic benefits come at a really significant time,” Mr Mason said.

He said community feedback would inform whether Council supports a request for Planning Minister Richard Wynne to make a final decision on the proposal, instead of going through Council’s usual planning process.

“It is important ACEnergy informs, involves and seeks feedback from the local community before Council can give any type of in-principle support to the project,” Mr Mason said.

Residents can view plans and talk to ACEnergy representatives and Council officers at an information stall outside Terang IGA from 3 pm-6 pm Thursday 18 June and 9 am-12 pm Friday 19 June.

Plans and feedback forms are available online here.

Submissions close 9 am, Monday 22 June.