Community Benefit Schemes to Move Forward After ACEnergy’s Little River BESS Planning Scheme Amendment Approved

ACEnergy will progress a range of community benefit initiatives after the Planning Scheme Amendment for its Little River Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project was approved by the Minister for Planning and the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning. The project will benefit the local community and deliver grid reliability and system security to Western Victoria.

The 350-MW project, located at 405-455 Sandy Creek Road on a small subdivision, will deliver critical energy stability with minimal environmental impact. Little River BESS will also utilise existing energy transmission infrastructure, while being directly connected to existing network infrastructure. The project has recently received a connection oQer from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), and is progressing well with the connection works.

In engaging with local organisations and associations, ACEnergy has committed to delivering several community-oriented programs, including $1.5 million in investments in the local community over a 20-year period. This is in addition to separate arrangements for Neighbourhood Agreements for the project's direct neighbours. 

“We are committed to ensuring that the Little River BESS delivers more than just power to the community. We are confident that the 350-MW BESS will provide tremendous value toward energy stability in the region. However, it remains our priority to ensure that the residents of Little River feel that they are part of this project, and that it delivers more than just energy for them,” ACEnergy Head of Development Danny Wilkinson said. 

“Throughout the consultation period, we have engaged with the local community and ensured that they have been heard, which has led to a more robust and beneficial project that will deliver real benefits to the region. 

“We have worked to address any concerns around the project, engaging the experts and making amendments where possible to ensure that the project is minimally disruptive. We look forward to working with the community to ensure the community benefit initiatives deliver on their needs,” Wilkinson added.

Find out more about the project through the Little River website at: https://littleriverbess.com.au

Minister for Planning of Victoria Sonya Kilkenny said: “Renewable energy is the cheapest form of new build energy available – that’s exactly why we’re fast-tracking decisions on projects like this, to provide cheaper and cleaner energy for more Victorians.”

Minister for Energy of Victoria Lily D’Ambrosio stated: “This Battery Energy Storage is another way we’re shoring up energy supply and assisting our transition to 95 percent renewable energy by 2035.”

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About ACEnergy

ACEnergy are a Victorian-headquartered, Australian-owned, team of renewable energy experts across the development value chain aiming to help meet the growing demand for high quality utility-scale solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) which are critical to decarbonising our energy future whilst keeping the lights on. With a successful track record of more than 32+ projects across Australia, ACEnergy are a reliable partner in renewable energy project development with a specialty in operating across Victoria.