FRV Australia reaches Financial Close for 100MW/200MWh Terang large scale battery project
- The Terang BESS is FRV Australia’s first Large Scale Battery project and will increase its operational assets in Australia to nine.
- The financing of Terang BESS is part of the US$ 780m (AUD$ 1.2bn) portfolio refinancing process recently completed by FRV Australia, including 11 financial institutions.
- The project will support the Victorian Government’s drive to a renewable energy target of 50% by 2030 and will boost the local economy by creating up to 150 construction jobs and increasing investment in local services.
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) Australia, a leading developer of sustainable energy solutions, and part of Jameel Energy, and the Canadian infrastructure fund OMERS have announced the financial close and commencement of construction of the Terang Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. This marks a significant milestone in FRV Australia’s commitment to advancing various renewable energy infrastructure technologies.
The project will also receive US$ 4.6m (AUD$ 7m) in funding to support the installation of new grid forming inverters, awarded under round two of the Victoria Government’s Energy Innovation Fund (EIF) to help continue the Victorian Government’s drive to a renewable energy target of 50% by 2030.
Located two kilometers north-east of Terang’s center and approximately 40 kilometers north of Warrnambool, the BESS will have a capacity of 100MW/200MWh. It will connect to the national electricity grid and be built on the traditional land of the proud Eastern Maar people.
The project is not far from another FRV Australia battery, the 250MW/500MWh Gnarwarre BESS project, located in the southwest region of Victoria, which received conditional funding under ARENA’s Large Scale Battery Storage Round and is also planned to start construction soon.
The Terang BESS project will significantly contribute to economic development in the southwest region of Victoria. FRV Australia anticipates the project will create up to 150 jobs during the construction phase and will employ three to four permanent operational staff. FRV Australia will also award site maintenance contracts to local businesses.
FRV Australia has appointed Canadian Solar’s e-STORAGE for the construction, leveraging their expertise in delivering high-quality battery storage solutions. The project signed the connection agreements with AusNet in 2024 and is located in a strong and strategic part of the electricity grid.
Carlo Frigerio, CEO of FRV Australia said:
“Getting our first large-scale battery to financial close is a major achievement for FRV Australia. This project shows our commitment to different renewable energy technologies and strengthens our place in the renewable energy sector. It paves the way for future innovations and growth in our portfolio.”