01-07-2025
Banpu Invests in 350MW Battery Project in Australia
Banpu Public Company Limited, a versatile energy company, has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Banpu Energy Australia Pty Limited (BEN), has signed an agreement to acquire a 50% interest in the Wooreen Energy Storage System (WESS) project. The remaining 50% is held by EnergyAustralia. Located in Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia, the project will have a power capacity of 350 megawatts and a storage capacity of 1,400 megawatt-hours.
The WESS project will be capable of supplying electricity to up to 230,000 households continuously for four hours during peak demand. With a total project value of approximately AUD 700 million (equivalent to THB 15,105 million), BEN's equity contribution amounts to around AUD 110 million (THB 2,374 million). Currently under construction, the project is expected to commence operations and begin generating revenue in the second half of 2027.
This investment represents a significant milestone in the expansion of Banpu's 'Renewables+' portfolio, which encompasses renewable energy and related businesses under the company's Energy Symphonics strategy.
Mr Sinon Vongkusolkit, Chief Executive Officer of Banpu Public Company Limited, said, 'Australia's energy market is undergoing a rapid transformation in power generation. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are crucial for ensuring supply reliability, integrating clean energy into the grid, and generating revenue from market fluctuations. BESS stores energy from various sources and uses AI-powered software to analyse data, helping to determine the optimal times to store and discharge electricity into the commercial grid.'
Banpu's BESS investment aligns with its Renewables+ strategy to build large-scale pipelines of renewable assets — including BESS — in key global markets. The initiative also features long-term portfolio optimisation in response to evolving energy trends, ensuring efficient management in strategic countries where Banpu operates.
The project includes a long-term offtake agreement with EnergyAustralia, a leading electricity generator and retailer, ensuring stable revenue generation.
'In the transition towards sustainable energy, we believe BESS will be vital in supporting clean energy infrastructure and will serve as a driving force for Banpu's Energy Symphonics as we progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2050,' Mr Sinon concluded.
