Baranduda Battery Project Secures Financial Close in Victoria

Aware Super, Birdwood, and the State Electricity Commission (SEC) have finalised financial arrangements for the Baranduda Electrical Energy Reserve, a large-scale battery project in Wodonga, Victoria. This development involves a 400 MW battery storage system and marks a key step in the project’s timeline.

The Baranduda battery system will be built next to the Wodonga Terminal Station in north-east Victoria, with a direct connection to the Victoria-NSW 330 kV interconnector. The facility consists of four separate 100 MW units, each with its own grid connection and a storage capacity of 465 MWh.

Construction activity is scheduled to commence in November 2026, following the completion of financial close. The project is anticipated to become operational in late 2028, with around 150 jobs expected to be created during the construction phase.

The Victorian Government’s Department of Transport and Planning granted a planning permit for the Baranduda project on 12 February 2025. The project also received approval under the Australian Industry Participation Plan from the AIP Authority on 12 December 2025, with estimated capital expenditure ranging from AU$500 million to AU$1 billion.

What the numbers show

• 400 MW total battery capacity across four units.
• 1.86 GWh total storage capacity.
• SEC investment up to AU$43 million for a minority stake.
• 15-year offtake agreement covers 50% of battery output.
• Estimated 150 construction jobs to be created.

The State Electricity Commission is providing up to AU$43 million for a minority equity position in the Baranduda battery project. The SEC has also secured a 15-year offtake agreement for half of the battery’s output, which is intended to support Victorian government and commercial energy retail contracts.

The Baranduda project is part of the Birdwood Energy Storage and Transition (BEST) platform, a joint venture between Aware Super and Birdwood. The battery’s design allows for four independent units, each capable of operating separately and connected individually to the grid.

Approval from the Australian Industry Participation Authority was granted under the national AIP Plan, which confirmed the project’s capital expenditure estimate and compliance with local industry participation requirements. The battery’s proximity to the Wodonga Terminal Station and its connection to the interstate grid are intended to support regional energy infrastructure.

With the financial close completed and all major permits in place, the Baranduda Electrical Energy Reserve is set to move into its construction phase later in 2026, with commercial operations targeted for late 2028.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.