Flow Power has reached financial close on the 100 MW / 223 MWh Bennetts Creek battery energy storage system in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. The project supports Flow Power’s strategy to integrate utility-scale storage with renewable generation and retail operations, providing firmed electricity across the National Electricity Market. Backed by OPTrust and financed by Westpac and SMBC Australia, the standalone battery is designed to deliver multiple grid services and is scheduled for completion in 2028.
DATA SNAPSHOT
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Project | Bennetts Creek BESS |
| Capacity | 100 MW / 223 MWh |
| Developer / Owner | Flow Power |
| Major Investor | OPTrust |
| Location | Hazelwood North, Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia |
| Technology provider | Wärtsilä |
| Completion | 2028 |
| Financiers | Westpac; SMBC Australia |
Australia-based electricity retailer and renewable energy developer, Flow Power has reached financial close on the 100 MW / 223 MWh Bennetts Creek battery energy storage system (BESS) near Hazelwood North in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.
The Bennetts Creek project forms part of Flow Power’s approach to integrating utility-scale storage within its renewable generation and retail operations. The project links long-term renewable offtake arrangements with dispatchable battery capacity to supply firmed electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the National Electricity Market. The battery has been designed to perform multiple grid functions, including energy shifting, frequency response, and participation in wholesale and ancillary service markets.
The project has been backed by Flow Power’s majority shareholder, OPTrust, with project financing provided by Westpac and SMBC Australia. Planum Partners acted as financial adviser to Flow Power, while Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer served as legal counsel to the project and Allens represented the lenders. Technical and commercial advisory support was provided by Everoze, Aurecon, and Aurora.
Wärtsilä is involved in project delivery by providing battery technology along with energy management and control systems, while Zenviron has been contracted for balance-of-plant design, construction, installation, and commissioning. The project has been scheduled for completion in 2028.
According to the company, Flow Power will engage with local stakeholders to design and deliver community benefit initiatives linked to the Bennetts Creek project, with up to USD 100,000 allocated over the project’s first five years. The initiatives are expected to include a local energy offer for eligible commercial and industrial customers aligned with construction timelines, along with support for youth and community programs such as the Little Village Project, delivered with Kindred Spirit Enterprises, and the Morwell Football Netball Club Junior Football Academy Program.
Byron Serjeantson, CFO and COO at Flow Power, stated that Bennetts Creek represents the company’s 11th project and its first large-scale stand-alone battery, expanding its portfolio across the National Electricity Market.
Stan Kolenc, Senior Managing Director at OPTrust and Chairman of Flow Power said the project supports Flow Power’s ability to supply firmed renewable electricity to customers while aligning with OPTrust’s long-term investment objectives.
Beth Rigby, General Manager at Zenviron, said the company is delivering the balance-of-plant scope for the project in Victoria.
Suraj Narayan, Managing Director Australia at Wärtsilä, said the battery system is designed to provide reliability and frequency response services within the National Electricity Market.