Plans for the BESS are advancing, with construction on Lambruck Lane expected to begin mid-2026, subject to approvals.
The battery will store energy generated by the nearby solar farm and release it back to the grid during peak demand periods.
European Energy Australia country manager, Catriona McLeod said, once operational, the solar farm and battery would feed clean energy into the grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more reliable and sustainable clean energy network for southern NSW.
She said the company had engaged with the local community and businesses throughout the planning process.
“We’ve held drop-in sessions, letterbox drops and local advertising to keep residents informed and to encourage local participation,” Ms McLeod said.
“We’d like to thank the Mulwala community; community input is vital to ensuring the project delivers benefits that reflect local priorities.
“These projects are important to Australia’s energy security, but we can’t build them without local support.”
Further community benefit initiatives are being developed in consultation with local groups, including environmental programs and educational opportunities.
Federation Council general manager Adrian Butler said the council encouraged residents to take part in consultation opportunities.
“It’s positive to see major renewable energy projects being proposed in our region,” Mr Butler said.
“Council’s role is to ensure the planning process carefully considers local impacts, particularly around land use, amenity, and community benefit.”
A separate large-scale battery energy storage system is also proposed for Corowa, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
Flow Power plans to build the $135 million facility behind the existing Corowa Substation.
The battery would have a capacity of 100 MW/200 MWh, enough to power all homes in the Federation Council area for a day.
Flow Power’s head of project development, Mark Raymond, said the project was progressing through the NSW Department of Planning’s State Significant Development approval process.
An Environmental Impact Statement to assess noise, bushfire, and social and economic impacts is being prepared and is expected to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in late 2025 or early 2026.
Flow Power hopes construction would start in 2027 generating about 70 jobs, with completion expected by mid-2028.
