The Manangatang Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will store renewable energy generated across the state and release it during peak demand — supporting reliability, lowering prices, and accelerating the retirement of coal-fired generation.
The project is being developed on approximately 5 hectares of cleared agricultural land in the Swan Hill local government area. The site is suitable because of its proximity to high-voltage transmission infrastructure operated by AusNet, minimising the need for new transmission corridors.
The facility will use modern lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, which is widely deployed across Australian grid-scale storage projects. LFP is chosen for its strong safety profile, long cycle life, and absence of cobalt or nickel.
Once operational, the battery will charge during periods of abundant renewable generation — typically the middle of the day — and discharge during the evening peak. It will also provide essential system services such as frequency control to keep the grid stable.