Latrobe Valley BESS – A New Era of Energy Storage in Victoria
Tilt Renewables has officially launched the Latrobe Valley Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – a 100 MW / 200 MWh energy storage facility. Located near Morwell in the southwest of Melbourne, the project represents an important step in Victoria’s path toward reaching a 95% share of renewable energy in its electricity mix by 2035.
Strategic Importance of the Project
Latrobe Valley BESS was built next to the existing Morwell Terminal Station. This location enables fast and efficient integration of the system into the national power grid.
Victoria’s Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, emphasized that the project will provide residents with stable, secure, and affordable energy supplies, while at the same time supporting the phase-out of fossil fuels.
The initiative was delivered in cooperation with a wide range of partners: Fluence, Zenviron, AEMO, AusNet, Wilson Transformers, TwoMorrows Electrical, and LAI.
Fluence, the battery technology provider, played a particularly crucial role. Latrobe Valley BESS is the world’s first project to implement the full Fluence product ecosystem, including:
- Gridstack – energy storage system,
- Mosaic – AI-powered market bidding optimization software,
- Nispera – asset performance management platform.
This combination of solutions maximizes the investment’s value and enhances the resilience of the entire system.
How the System Works
Latrobe Valley BESS stores surplus energy (mainly from solar PV during the day) and feeds it back into the grid during peak demand hours. In doing so, it:
- reduces dependence on coal and gas,
- smooths fluctuations in renewable generation,
- increases the reliability of the transmission system,
- stabilizes energy prices by lowering peak demand costs.
Construction of the BESS began in December 2023, creating 45 direct and 240 indirect jobs. The project has stimulated the local economy and forms part of Latrobe Valley’s transformation from a traditional coal hub into a center for clean energy innovation.
Tilt Renewables CEO, Anthony Fowler, highlighted the project’s national importance: “Together, we have created a system that will play a key role in Australia’s energy transition. This is a huge win for Victoria and a significant milestone for Tilt Renewables.”
Tilt Renewables – Expanding the Clean Energy Portfolio
Latrobe Valley BESS is another step in Tilt Renewables’ expansion. The company currently operates 1.9 GW of assets and is developing over 5 GW of projects in wind, solar, and energy storage.
In May 2025, the company also commissioned the Rye Park Wind Farm in New South Wales – the state’s largest wind farm (396 MW, 66 turbines rated at 6 MW each).