Banpu Public Company Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiary Banpu Energy Australia Pty Limited (BEN), has announced a joint investment with EnergyAustralia in the development of the Wooreen Energy Storage System (WESS) in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. The large-scale battery energy storage project will have a power capacity of 350 megawatts and 1,400 megawatt-hours of energy storage.
Under the agreement, both Banpu and EnergyAustralia will hold a 50% stake in the AUD 700 million (approximately THB 15,105 million) project, with BEN contributing AUD 110 million (about THB 2,374 million) as its equity share. The project is currently under construction and is expected to commence operations and begin generating revenue by the second half of 2027.
Once operational, the facility will be capable of supplying electricity to approximately 230,000 households for four continuous hours during peak demand, contributing significantly to grid stability and energy reliability.
The WESS project aligns with Banpu’s Renewables+ strategy, part of its broader Energy Symphonics vision, which focuses on renewable energy and energy-related businesses. The company is actively expanding its renewable portfolio and investing in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across strategic international markets.
“Australia’s energy sector is rapidly transitioning toward clean energy,” said Sinon Vongkusolkit, CEO of Banpu. “Battery energy storage systems are essential to ensure supply reliability and enhance grid flexibility. These systems, powered by AI-driven software, store energy from various sources and discharge it during periods of peak demand, optimizing both energy flow and market value.”
The WESS project will also benefit from a long-term offtake agreement with EnergyAustralia, a leading energy retailer and generator in the country, ensuring stable revenue generation.
Vongkusolkit emphasized that the investment supports Banpu’s decarbonization goals: “As we work toward reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2050, BESS will be pivotal to the transition toward sustainable energy infrastructure.”
Banpu continues to monitor global energy trends as part of its portfolio optimization efforts, reinforcing its presence in strategic markets such as Australia while building a resilient and future-ready energy business.
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