In late 2021 BGEA approached an international Company that had built and operated two big battery Projects in the Eastern States and encouraged them to consider a similar project in the Bunbury Geographe Region.

Following a period of investigation, Kemerton was identified as a very prospective location given the presence of large industry, close connection to the SWIS and grid reliability issues.

BGEA supported an application to the State Government to locate a 200 – 400MW battery within the Kemerton Strategic Industrial area at a cost of circa $300 million. The 5ha site was chosen because of its close location to the main transformer which is a key requirement of project viability.

Unfortunately, the State Government determined that the big battery was not a compatible land use for heavy industrial land.

BGEA was very disappointed with this interpretation even though we support the Government’s general assertion that the industrial core should be reserved for heavy industries.

Through BGEA’s engagement  with all levels of Government on this opportunity the State Government has revised its original position and is now open to considering renewables projects within the KSIA on a “case by case” basis. 

There are now several Companies looking at the opportunity to develop a big battery in Kemerton and we are hopeful that one or more of these will proceed in the short term.