Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub helps Victoria become the first state to store a gigawatt of energy
06 October 2025
Victoria has passed another milestone in its energy transition, becoming the first state with a combined charging rate exceeding one gigawatt.
The surge in charging was driven by the initial energisation and functional testing of SEC's giant battery project, the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub in Plumpton.
Co-owned by SEC and Equis Australia, the Hub is gearing up to deliver 1.6 gigawatt-hours of storage when it comes fully online later this year – enough to power 200,000 homes during the evening peak period.
Energising the project's 444 battery units is a critical step in deploying a grid-scale battery energy storage system.
The process involves various tests to ensure that the battery units operate safely within their technical parameters.
It's the first time Victoria's growing portfolio of big battery storage facilities has achieved a combined charging rate of more than one gigawatt -- making it the first state in Australia to do so.
Victoria has nine big batteries in operation and several under construction.
SEC CEO Chris Miller said energisation was a crucial step as the Hub gears up to enhance Victoria's electricity network and support SEC's position in the retail market by firming renewable electricity supply.
"We know storage is critical for Victoria's energy transition, and this project adds significant storage capability to the grid," Mr Miller said.
"SEC's investment in the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub was pivotal to the delivery of the project, enabling construction to begin and for one of the project's three big batteries to be upscaled from two to four hours of storage."
The Hub’s energisation and testing process will continue over the coming weeks.
The Hub will charge when renewable energy is abundant and discharge when supplies are low. By soaking up surplus rooftop solar and energy from the grid, the battery will help reduce power prices.
The Hub’s construction has created jobs and training opportunities for more than 1,200 people, including over 70 apprentices, cadets and trainees.
