Energy retailer Flow Power has proposed construction of a new 100-Megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Corowa to provide energy backup for the region as well as potentially offering relief from rising energy costs.
Clean energy retailer Flow Power is planning to add to its renewable projects portfolio with a 100-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) on Whitehead St, about 2km beyond the outskirts of Corowa.
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The proposed site, adjacent to the existing substation and high voltage electricity transmission network on three hectares, will house one of Flow Power’s biggest BESS projects.
According to Flow Power, once operational, it will support the integration of existing renewable energy generation into the NSW grid, reducing demand strain during peak times and placing downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices.
Rutherglen based consultancy firm, Lecroma prepared a Social and Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) to assess its viability and suitability for the Corowa area.
Lecroma founder Greg Ley said the project presented Corowa with a potential opportunity to take advantage of the town’s proximity to high voltage power lines and push for a brighter economic future.
Lecroma founder Greg Ley says the potential for economic growth and further investment in Corowa from a BESS installation is a positive outlook with very little downside.
“No matter where we landed looking at every aspect of the project, positive and negative, with the social and economic impacts, it all came back as on balance one of the better projects we could have seen land in Corowa,” Mr Ley said.
“Corowa has its own future constraint issue with energy output in the area; we don't have a lot of energy generation, we're lucky we have a major high voltage line that comes through the region.
“The battery will give us proximity for supporting infrastructure near the business parks, the industrial precinct, the feed mill with JBS.
“It's one of the better complementary assets to firm power and will hopefully drive down energy security and generate better rooftop solar absorption.”
If the development application is approved, construction of the BESS is expected to take about 18 months, with minimal disruption expected to the surrounding community.
According to the SEIA, residences near the project site or along the access route may experience temporary impacts such as noise, dust, and increased traffic during the construction period.
These effects will be short-term and managed through mitigation measures, including dust suppression and traffic management plans.
During operation, site activities and traffic will be minimal.
Mr Ley said the BESS would be a significant regional asset stabilizing the whole grid, with potential to offer relief from high energy costs and provide economic growth.
“One of the benefits announced by Flow Power will be a community benefit fund established for the life of the project, primarily for dispersal in Corowa and surrounds,” Mr Ley said.
“The idea is to make sure that the community hosting it reaps the direct benefits from those funds.
“When we start seeing that level of investment coming to a town like Corowa, it's usually a market signal to say it's a community in a region worth investing in.
“We find that investment in most communities we've researched attracts further investment.”
The application, environmental impact statement, and accompanying documents are available to view online at planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects.
To have your say on this project, lodge a submission online through the NSW Planning Portal before the close of exhibition on Wednesday, May 23.
