The State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SEC), a government-owned electricity company in Victoria, Australia, has partnered with Aware Super and Birdwood to deliver a 1.86GW-hour (GWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Wodonga, Victoria.
The Baranduda Electrical Energy Reserve will have 400MW of capacity and provide electricity for up to 4.65 hours.
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The battery project will be located next to the Wodonga Terminal Station on the Victoria–New South Wales (NSW) 300kV high-voltage interconnector.
Its design includes four independent units, each rated at 100MW/465MW-hours and with separate grid connections.
The battery is scheduled to become operational in late 2028.
The system will store excess renewable energy and release it when demand is high, with the potential to supply more than 200,000 Victorian homes during peak evening hours.
Aware Super private markets head Jenny Newmarch said: “Baranduda is an important investment for our 1.3 million members and a strong fit with our growing energy-storage portfolio.
“Long-duration storage is critical to the energy transition, and this project reflects our confidence in its role in supporting a more reliable and renewable energy system.”
Construction is expected to begin in November 2026 and create approximately 150 jobs during the building phase.
The state-owned SEC will invest up to $30.6m (A$43m) for a minority stake in the development and has agreed to a 15-year offtake arrangement to purchase 50% of the battery’s output.
This share will support the Victorian Government and commercial energy retail contracts.
The remaining 50% will be sold on the merchant market to support Victoria’s broader energy supply.
SEC CEO Chris Miller said: “Through our 15-year offtake, SEC is excited to play a critical role in bringing this important project forward for Victorians and securing the delivery of the state’s longest-duration, utility scale battery.
“The battery’s strategic location will also bolster Victoria’s energy security by enabling increased electricity flows during periods of high demand, network congestion, or unexpected outages, delivering more affordable, reliable renewable energy for Victorians.”
Baranduda forms part of the Birdwood Energy Storage and Transition platform, a joint initiative between Aware Super and Birdwood.
