Kojonup BESS
Project Status
Development
Indicative Capacity
up to 800 MWh
Local Government Area
Shire of Kojonup
Location
Kojonup, Western Australia
Mint is proposing to develop a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located approximately 3 km north west of Kojonup, next to the existing Kojonup Substation in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.
The Kojonup BESS could have an indicative capacity of up to 800MWh (e.g. 100MW x 8 hour system) and an indicative footprint of approximately 4 hectares. The final size of the Project will depend on planning and environmental considerations, grid requirements, the selected BESS model and feedback from stakeholders.
Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS, are safe technology that stores energy in rechargeable batteries for use when it is needed most. It acts like a large-scale version of the batteries in our phones, or laptops, but it’s designed for large-scale grid energy storage. BESS provide the ability to store energy, so that excess energy produced during periods of low demand or high output (e.g. from variable sources such as wind or solar) can be stored for use during periods when there might otherwise be a shortfall in supply.
Kojonup BESS is strategically located near the existing Kojonup Substation, off Tunney Road, to enhance grid reliability in the Great Southern Region while reducing the need for additional transmission infrastructure. The site offers suitable cleared land and proximity to the Albany Highway, minimising environmental and construction impacts.
Development of a BESS undergoes a comprehensive planning and environmental assessment process to ensure the Project’s impacts are minimised and managed during construction and operations. This process also involves engaging with the community to understand local concerns and incorporate them into the development of the Project.
When fully charged, an 800 MWh BESS (e.g. 100 MW 8 hour system) has enough energy capacity to supply over 168,000 Western Australian homes for 8 hours.
Project Location
Project Updates
Mint has now lodged a Development Application (DA) with the Shire of Kojonup for the proposed Kojonup Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project. The DA will be assessed under the Planning and Development Act 2005 via the Development Assessment Panel (DAP) pathway.
The public notice period for the Development Application is now closed. During the public notice period, stakeholders had the chance to provide feedback on any aspect of the proposal, including potential impacts, local considerations, or opportunities for improvement. All submissions are formally considered by the Shire and the Project as part of the assessment process.
We thank everyone who took the time to review the application and provide feedback.
The Development Application remains available for reference at the Shire of Kojonup website, and the assessment process will now continue through the formal DAP pathway.
Next Steps
With the public notice period now closed, the Development Application will progress through the following stages under the DAP pathway:
Notification to the DAP secretariat: The Shire of Kojonup has notified the DAP secretariat that the application has been lodged, and receipt has been acknowledged.
Shire of Kojonup assessment: As the Responsible Authority, the Shire will complete its assessment of the application, taking into account all submissions received during the public notice period, along with relevant technical referrals and planning considerations.
Responsible Authority Report: The Shire will prepare a report for the DAP, including a recommendation to either approve or refuse the application, along with any conditions proposed should approval be recommended.
Referral to the DAP: The application, together with the Responsible Authority Report, will be forwarded to the relevant Development Assessment Panel for determination.
DAP meeting and determination: Once the assessment is complete, a meeting agenda will be published on the DAP website, typically one week prior to the meeting, and the Shire will notify interested parties ahead of the meeting. DAP meetings are open to the public, and anyone — including submitters — can request to make a short presentation to the panel ahead of the meeting. The DAP will then meet to consider the application.
Outcome notification: The DAP will determine the application as approved, refused, or deferred. The outcome will be published in the meeting minutes, made available through the Shire and DAP websites. Further information on DAP panels can be found: How Development Assessment Panels work.
We will keep the community informed as the application progresses through these stages. To stay up to date on meeting dates, the DAP's determination, and any further opportunities for engagement, we encourage everyone interested in the Project to sign up to our Project Newsletter.
Community & Benefits
We strive to be active and caring neighbours, dedicated stewards of the environment, and create meaningful, lasting benefits for the broader community.
We know that for our projects to be successful, we must work closely with our stakeholders, including landholders, project neighbours, First Nations peoples and the broader community.
Consultation
In October 2025, the Project held three community drop-ins at the Kojonup RSL Hall. These drop-in sessions were advertised and promoted across a broad range of channels.
In November, the Project undertook another round of neighbour outreach, including door knocking adjoining properties and offering one-on-one meetings. This was followed by the launch of a community survey to gather insights, which remained open until early 2026.
Feedback gathered through these activities informed the Development Application (DA), helping identify key environmental, social and economic considerations.
Following the DA being placed on public notice in late June, a community pop-up was held on Saturday 4 July outside the Kojonup IGA, providing an opportunity for community members to ask questions about the Project and the DA.
We appreciate everyone who took the time to attend and speak with the project team. Feedback received during these sessions indicated general support for the Project, particularly in relation to improving energy security and the role of batteries in providing a reliable back-up source of electricity. Community members also raised concerns relating to potential fire risk and noise. These matters will continue to be considered as part of the assessment and design process.
For information about BESS systems, including how they operate and the safety measures in place, please refer to the BESS FAQs.
Community feedback
We know that locals have important insights and knowledge about the land they live on, and we value the time people have taken to share their views.
Community feedback will help us better understand the local area, inform the design and construction of the Project, and consider how benefits could be shared with the local community.
The community survey is now closed. We’d like to thank everyone who participated.
We are currently reviewing the feedback received and are working to prepare an update on what we heard. This will be shared in the coming weeks.
Benefits
We know that our Project will bring inherent economic and social benefits to the Kojonup community, through a boost to the local economy, local businesses and jobs during construction and operations.
In addition to creating opportunities for local workers, the Project will bring benefits to other industries, including accommodation providers, cafés, and restaurants. Mint is committed to employing local people, sourcing locally wherever possible, and engaging local service providers.
Our commitment to sharing benefits
We will also develop other ways to share benefits of the Project, informed by engagement with stakeholders throughout the development phases of the Project.
As an initial benefit sharing commitment, we are committed to contributing a minimum of $150 per megawatt per year in community benefits from the commencement of operations.
This is intended as a starting point only and represents the minimum commitment. The final approach to benefits will be shaped by feedback from the community and a clear understanding of local priorities, project constraints, and potential impacts.
Local businesses and service providers
Are you a local business or service provider looking to be part of an exciting opportunity?
We’re building a Goods and Services Register for our Project and we’re inviting local suppliers to register their interest, via this form.
Environment & Planning
The Kojonup BESS has gone through a rigorous planning and environmental assessment process to identify and minimise potential impacts. If approved, conditions of approval will help ensure these impacts are appropriately managed during construction and operations.
Mint has lodged a Development Application with the Shire of Kojonup for the proposed Kojonup Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project. The public notice period for the application has now closed. This provided an opportunity for community members to review the proposal and share feedback- whether supportive, neutral or opposed.
Submissions received during the public notice period are being formally considered by the Shire and the Project as part of the assessment process. We thank everyone who took the time to review the application and share their feedback.
The Development Application remains available to view online here.
The Project will seek development approval and be assessed under the Planning and Development Act 2005.
Specialist studies will assess potential impacts and outline mitigation measures, including:
Biodiversity: Presence and potential impacts to native vegetation and significant flora and fauna.
Cultural heritage: Presence and potential impacts to places of Aboriginal cultural heritage value and significance, such as scattered artefacts, burial sites or scarred trees.
Noise: Potential noise impacts to surrounding sensitive receptors (e.g. homes and other sensitive locations) during construction and operation of the BESS.
Landscape and visual: Potential visual impacts from the BESS, including to the landscape character, surrounding homes and significant public viewpoints.
Hydrology: Potential flood risk to the site, including potential changes to surface water flows from the permanent footprint of the BESS.
Bushfire and other hazards: Potential risk of the BESS starting or interacting with a fire, as well as other potential hazards, for example chemical leaks or spills.
Traffic: Potential traffic and transport impacts from the BESS to the surrounding roads, such as potential traffic disruptions or changes.
There are opportunities for public input through the Project approval process.
Resources
We’ll share project updates and information via our newsletters and our FAQs.
Stay up to date
We will communicate key project updates via our e-newsletter. Sign up below to subscribe to our e-newsletter distribution list.
Goods & Services Register
We are always on the lookout to build new working relationships in the industry and encourage you to register your services and/or business on our Goods & Services Register.
Get in touch
Feedback and questions are always welcome!
Please get in contact with us via:
1800 HI MINT (446 468)
kojonupbess@mintrenewables.com
complaints@mintrenewables.com
Privacy Policy download here | Complaints Handling Procedure download here
Mint Renewables will engage meaningfully with First Nations people of Australia and mana whenua of Aotearoa to develop long term relationships based on respect and understanding. Mint Renewables acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.