The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub started construction in December 2023. It is a 1.6 GWh BESS just outside Melbourne that includes a 500kV substation and now has the State Government’s SEC Victoria as a 40% owner of Side A. When fully developed, MREH will be one of the largest energy storage facilities in the world with a total connection of 1.2 GW which already has planning approval, network capacity and land reserved.
Syncline originated the project, having been a pioneer in identifying the need for very large-scale BESS in late 2018. We scoped the engineering and grid requirements, shortlisted numerous sites and then set about securing the optimal location at Plumpton, just 40km from the Melbourne CBD.
What We Did
Syncline obtained the planning permit through a Planning Scheme Amendment in April 2019. Its strong community consultation, cultural heritage and ecology work receiving commendations from the Planning Institute Australia. We also locked-in the grid connection design and negotiated the Generator Performance Standard with AEMO leading to the issue of a 534A letter in June 2023.
Equis became a shareholder in February 2022 and Equis and Syncline jointly developed the project from that date through to Financial Close in December 2023 when Syncline fully handed over project delivery to Equis.