In a major milestone for Australia’s energy transition, Edify Energy has announced that the Koorangie Energy Storage System (KESS) in northwest Victoria is now fully operational. This landmark project is already importing and exporting electricity at its full nameplate capacity of 185MW / 370MWh, and bringing cleaner, more reliable energy to Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).
Project Factsheet
Location: Near Kerang, Gannawarra Shire, Northwest Victoria
Capacity: 185 MW / 370 MWh
Storage technology: 100 Tesla Megapacks with grid-forming inverters
Owner: Sosteneo SGR Spa (on behalf of institutional clients)
Developer: Edify Energy
Constructor: Consolidated Power Projects (CPP)
Financiers: Commonwealth Bank (CBA), DNB, BNP Paribas
Signed Agreements
System support agreement: 20-year agreement with AEMO
Offtake agreement: 15-year contract with Shell Energy
Project Impact
Energy output: Can power approximately 350,000 homes for 2 hours
Construction jobs: Over 520 during peak construction
Operational staff: 4 full-time positions
Renewable energy advancement: Enables up to 300MW new renewable energy in the Murray River REZ
Community involvement: Local business engagement and council partnership (Gannawarra Shire)
Traditional owners: Barapa Barapa, Wamba Wamba, and Yorta Yorta peoples
More on the Koorangie Energy Storage System (KESS)
KESS is located near Kerang in the Gannawarra region and is now equipped with 100 Tesla Megapacks capable of powering 350,000 homes for two hours.
The battery energy storage system (BESS) project is set to help in overcoming grid constraints – a known issue of contention in the region.
Additionally, KESS will use advanced grid-forming inverters. This technology was once only possible through traditional generators. This makes KESS not just a BESS, but a backbone for Victoria’s energy grid.
Team Behind Koorangie Energy Storage System
Edify led the project from start to finish, with Consolidated Power Projects on construction. Financial support came from CBA, DNB, and BNP Paribas, while Sosteneo SGR Spa owns the energy asset on behalf of its clients.
The KESS BESS project also signed a 20-year System Support Agreement with AEMO and a 15-year offtake agreement with Shell Energy. With long-term commitments from AEMO and Shell Energy, the system is set to provide grid support and clean power for decades to come.
Project Impact
At the project’s peak, more than 520 construction jobs were created. Employment opportunities continue to suffice with start of the operational phase.
Edify also worked closely with the Kerang community and Gannawarra Shire Council to ensure the project made impact to the community in a positive way. Additionally, lower energy costs, creation of local business opportunities, and a stronger electricity grid are already emerging benefits.
Executive commentary
John Cole, Executive Chairman of Edify, said the following, “KESS shows what’s possible when advanced technology meets long-term vision. It’s our third project in Kerang, and our twelfth utility-scale energy development. But more than that, it’s a shared win for industry, communities, and the climate.”
Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio also added that projects like KESS are exactly what Victoria needs.
Also read: Making Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) construction projects bankable
