RE Development Pty Ltd has submitted a development application for a 250MW/1,000MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Baldivis, Western Australia.
The proposed facility at Doghill Road will connect directly to Western Power’s 330kV transmission network via the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), leveraging existing transmission infrastructure that traverses the 260-hectare site.
The strategic location enables efficient grid connection via overhead transmission lines and an expanded switchyard.
The BESS aims to provide 4-hours of discharge capacity during periods of increased demand. The facility will store surplus electricity generated during peak solar hours and feed it back into the grid during evening hours, when demand typically peaks.
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The development application, valued at AU$500 million (US$352 million) according to Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel documentation, includes modular containerised battery units enclosed within a compound surrounded by a 7.6-meter acoustic wall to mitigate noise impacts.
Supporting infrastructure comprises a 900-square-meter operations and maintenance building, drainage facilities, site offices, and construction laydown areas.
Construction is scheduled to span 12 months, with the facility designed for a 15-year operational lifespan. Once operational, the system will be monitored remotely from a Perth-based control room, with two operational staff conducting monthly site visits.
The application notes that the proposal aims to address critical infrastructure needs identified by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), which has warned that the SWIS faces the potential for widespread outages within five years without proactive planning and investment in firming capacity.
Western Australia’s rapid adoption of rooftop solar, with over 400,000 residential installations representing approximately 40% of households, has introduced grid stability challenges that large-scale storage can help address.
The SWIS Demand Assessment 2023-2042 identifies requirements for more than 50GW of new energy generation and storage capacity by 2042, with the south-west region expected to experience the strongest load growth of approximately 2.8GW.
The proposed BESS aligns with the state government’s Energy Transformation Strategy and supports the planned retirement of coal power stations at Muja and Collie by 2030.
RE Development has engaged with Western Power through their critical project framework, indicating the strategic importance of the development to grid operations. The proximity to existing 330kV transmission infrastructure provides cost-effective connection opportunities that support the project’s commercial viability.
The facility will provide black start capabilities and rapid response to grid fluctuations, offering faster response times than traditional baseload power stations. This functionality becomes increasingly important as Western Australia transitions toward higher renewable energy penetration while maintaining grid reliability and affordability.
Western Australia’s energy storage sector has seen significant development recently. Synergy recently completed Australia’s largest operational BESS, a 2,400MWh system in Collie, while Tonic Group secured rapid environmental approval for a 440MWh solar-plus-storage project.
The state’s Economic Regulation Authority has also proposed benchmark pricing based on 1,200MWh of battery storage specifications.
The City of Rockingham is seeking public comments on the proposal as part of preparing its Responsible Authority Report for the Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel (MODAP), which will make the final determination.
The MODAP meeting will be open to the public, and all submitters will be notified of the meeting date once confirmed.
The Energy Storage Summit Australia 2026 will be returning to Sydney on 18-19 March. It features keynote speeches and panel discussions on topics such as the Capacity Investment Scheme, long-duration energy storage, and BESS revenue streams. ESN Premium subscribers receive an exclusive discount on ticket prices.
To secure your tickets and learn more about the event, please visit the official website.
