The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub in Victoria, Australia, has officially launched its Tesla Megapack-powered battery energy storage system (BESS), making it the largest completed battery project on the country’s main grid and one of the largest operational grid batteries globally. This innovative project, located in Plumpton in Melbourne’s west, boasts 444 Tesla Megapacks with a capacity of 600 MW and storage of 1.6 GWh. This impressive energy storage system has the capability to power 200,000 homes during evening peaks, as stated by the State Electricity Commission (SEC) of Victoria.
While the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub may not be the largest battery in Australia (that title currently belongs to Neoen’s Collie battery in Western Australia), it is now the biggest fully operating BESS connected to the National Electricity Market after the Waratah Super Battery in NSW faced delays due to transformer issues.
The SEC highlights the project as a crucial piece of infrastructure designed to shift surplus solar and wind energy into periods of higher demand. Chris Miller, CEO of SEC, explains that “The Hub will soak up excess wind and solar power during the daytime and shift that energy to the evening peaks when we need it most.”
Tesla’s Megapack is renowned as the company’s flagship utility-grade storage solution, specifically designed for grid-scale deployments that aid in stabilizing demand and smoothing out renewable generation. With its ability to store significant amounts of energy and discharge it instantly, the Megapack has become one of the most widely adopted grid batteries globally. Australia remains a key market for Tesla Energy, with Megapacks powering major BESS installations across the country.
The successful delivery of the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub was a collaborative effort by SEC and Equis Australia, completed on time and within budget. David Russell, Managing Director at Equis Australia, highlights the innovative features of the project, including a world-first underground 500kV cable connecting the BESS to existing grid infrastructure.
Tesla’s Megapack systems have been in high demand globally, with recent major orders to support Australia’s largest wind farm and a record-breaking procurement from Georgia Power in the U.S. Even xAI, Elon Musk’s AI startup, is utilizing Megapacks to power its Colossus II supercomputer in Memphis. Tesla’s unveiling of the next-generation Megapack 3 earlier this year signifies continued advancements in energy storage technology.
The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub is poised to play a crucial role in Victoria’s transition to higher renewable penetration as more coal plants retire. Positioned strategically at the junction of major transmission lines, the system will support multiple clean-energy zones and contribute to improved price stability in the region.