The Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH), a key project of the State Electricity Commission (SEC), has reached a major milestone with the arrival of its third and final transformer. This marks a crucial step toward the commissioning of the 600MW battery energy storage system (BESS), expected to be operational by late 2025.

The transformer’s arrival follows the delivery of the first two units in January 2025. These components are essential for connecting the BESS to the grid, enabling efficient energy transfer and reducing transmission losses. Once installed, the system will deliver up to 1.6GWh of energy storage—enough to power 200,000 homes during peak demand.

MREH comprises three battery units: A1 and A2 (each 200MW/400MWh), and A3 (200MW/800MWh). The project is co-owned by SEC and Equis Australia, and will be one of the largest battery storage systems in Australia, capable of up to 1200MW charge/discharge capacity, with approval to expand to 2.4GWh.

Designed with advanced inverter technology, the MREH will support voltage and frequency stability on the grid, replacing inertia lost from retiring coal-fired power stations.

Source: energymagazine.com