Transgrid Group’s contestable business Lumea has won a competitive bid to deliver a critical 500kV connection as part of the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH) being developed by Equis Developments Pte Ltd (Equis) and Victoria’s State Electricity Commission (SEC). The MREH will be the largest battery in the southern hemisphere and one of the biggest batteries in the world.
Energy connections
Lumea secures major deal to connect millions of customers with Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub
Transgrid Group CEO Brett Redman said "Lumea is a proven and highly-respected renewable energy partner to the leading generators and battery operators in the Australian energy sector and we are delighted to support Victoria's energy transition."
“We understand the pace at which Victoria must move to achieve its ambitious clean energy targets and as Australia’s largest and most experienced transmission business, we have the skills and experience needed to support the delivery of those targets.
“This project represents a significant vote of confidence in our ability to safely and efficiently deliver major transmission connection projects in Australia.
“We are pleased to support the Victorian Government’s vision for a clean energy future and to collaborate with Equis and Tesla in this first of its kind partnership.”
The SEC’s investment in MREH supports the project supports the delivery of the state’s ambitious net zero targets. The Victorian government is expected to legislate to deliver at least 2.6 GW of renewable energy
storage by 2030.
The Lumea team will design, construct, own, operate and maintain the connection assets over a 25 year term. The Lumea scope includes a 500kV substation and a 1.75km 500kV cable connecting MREH to the National Electricity Market at the existing Sydenham Terminal Station West of Melbourne Airport with works likely to commence in early 2024.
Lumea will work with Asia-Pacific’s leading infrastructure investment company Equis and will be supported by battery manufacturer Tesla. Lumea’s Executive General Manager Paul Maguire said, “Lumea is thrilled to be announced as the connection partner by Equis for this important project and are pleased the Victorian Government, through the SEC, has recognised MREH as integral to achieving their energy targets.
“We are committed to the transition to a smarter, safer and more reliable energy future and want to help Victoria transition to renewables as safely and quickly as possible. We are delighted to collaborate with Equis and Tesla on delivering this important project.”
“Lumea has been active in Victoria since 2016 and the selection as partner for the MREH project reflects the industry’s recognition of our reputation as the leading builder of renewable connections in the National Electricity Market.”
About Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH)
With approval for a 2.4 GWh of energy storage and a 12.5MW co-located solar farm, Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub will be one of the biggest batteries in the world and capable of servicing up to 2,200,000 households for two hours. Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub has been engineered to reduce systemic risk and enhance network stability and resilience for the National Electricity Market and will be capable of supporting the safe and reliable development of renewable energy generation across Victoria’s designated renewable energy zones.
About Lumea
Lumea Pty Limited is Australia's leading infrastructure and energy services provider focused on servicing the renewable energy industry. We bring together essential energy infrastructure services and new technologies to accelerate the energy transition. We operate in contestable markets across the NEM and are the largest connector to date of renewable generation in Australia with over 12GW, enough to power 5 million homes. As part of the Transgrid Group our mission is to help bring 40GW of renewable energy to market by 2030. Lumea is also proud to be developing its own innovative projects across a variety of new energy assets and services, as well as establishing a pipeline of grid-scale and behind-the-meter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in NSW, including the Wallgrove Grid Battery. In FY23, the Wallgrove Grid Battery supplied18.5GWhs of renewable energy to provide 3,400 houses with carbon free energy.
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