The 2,000MWh Murchs Corner BESS project in Victoria, Australia by developer Alternate Path advances as it secures approval. The 500MW/2000MWh project secured federal environmental approval earlier this week. Having joined the EPBC Act queue in late March 2026, the project has now received an Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act clearance.
Advancements now entail connection to the existing 500kV Moorabool to Mortlake transmission line. Moreover, this will be achieved through a cut-in terminal station. The approval adds to Victoria’s expanding pipeline of utility-scale storage projects. It also comes at a time when the state’s legislated energy storage targets of at least 2.6GW by 2030 and 6.3GW by 2035.
The site area spans a 169ha site across two freehold parcels near Darlington-Terang Road. The BESS implementation is expected to disturb approximately 21 hectares during construction. A broader 65-hectare disturbance footprint is designed to allow siting flexibility during detailed design phases. Another major renewable energy project taking shape in Australia is the Gamuda solar Project power.
As of May 2026, Gamuda Berhad has significantly expanded its renewable energy portfolio, with major updates focusing on floating solar projects in Malaysia and large-scale solar farms in Australia.
Scope of Implementation on the Murchs Corner BESS Project in Australia
The Murchs Corner BESS project in Australia is expected to occupy around 13 hectares of the designated 169 hectares. On the other hand, the cut-in terminal station would require four hectares north of the existing transmission easement. The proponent designed the project to avoid direct impacts to matters of national environmental significance. It situated infrastructure on existing cleared agricultural land dominated by introduced species.
Once complete, the energy project is expected to operate for approximately 20 to 25 years. Decommissioning plans will focus on removing above-ground components for repurposing where possible. Through this, it is expected to return the land to its original agricultural condition. During operations, only six maintenance jobs are anticipated to run intermittently.
The Murchs Corner project joins a cluster of battery storage developments targeting the Moorabool to Mortlake transmission corridor. It also follows a series of recent EPBC Act clearances for battery storage projects across Australia. Earlier this month, two battery storage projects totaling 2.15GWh cleared Australia’s EPBC Act assessment. Furthermore, the 1.6GWh grid-forming Rutherglen battery received EPBC Act approval in March. Alternate Path, a Tasmania-based developer, is pursuing the project in partnership with local landowners Bobby and Clive Jamieson.
Project Overview
- Project Type: Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
- Capacity: 500 MW / 2,000 MWh.
- Purpose: Support grid stability and renewable energy integration.
Key Stakeholders
- Developer: Alternate Path
- Partners: Local landowners Bobby and Clive Jamieson.
Location
- State: Victoria
- Country: Australia
Scope
- Development across a 169-hectare site.
- Connection to the Moorabool–Mortlake 500kV transmission line.
- BESS footprint of about 13 hectares.
Status
- Stage: Environmental approval secured.
- Approval: EPBC Act clearance granted.
Timeline
- Operational Life: Estimated 20–25 years.
Employment Impact
- Around 6 maintenance jobs during operations.
Strategic Significance
- Supports Victoria’s energy storage targets.
- Adds major utility-scale storage capacity to the state grid.
