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 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 Kojonup Substation, located 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 been fortunate to partner with a local landholder, and we are currently proposing to develop a BESS on their land, located 3 km north west of Kojonup, next to the existing Kojonup Substation.
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.
In late October, we held three community drop-ins on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October. Locals joined the Mint team to learn more about the proposed BESS, meet our Project team, ask questions and share their feedback on the proposal. We are currently seeking feedback from the local community to help shape the Project. Feedback will help us understand the local area, inform the design and construction of the Project, and how we best share benefits with our local host community.
We will continue to engage with the Shire, landowners, neighbours, First Nations peoples and surrounding communities as early as possible, keeping people informed and involved.
Stay up to date on the Project by subscribing to our 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
Feedback is an essential part of project development. We are currently seeking feedback from the local community to help shape the Project.
Have your say
We know that locals have important insights and knowledge about the land they live on, and we plan to listen to and learn from local voices.
Your feedback will help us understand the local area, inform the design and construction of the Project, and how we best share benefits with the local community.
If you would like to participate, please complete the survey via the link below.
We appreciate your feedback and participation.
October community drop-ins!
In late October, we held three community drop-ins on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October.
Locals joined the Mint team to learn more about the proposed BESS, meet our Project team, ask questions and share their feedback on the proposal.
We’ll prepare a summary of what we heard and share an update in our next newsletter. We encourage anyone interested in the Project to sign up to our project newsletter to make sure they stay up to date with the Project.
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 will go through a rigorous planning and environmental assessment process to ensure impacts are minimised and managed during construction and operations.
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 waterflows 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.
We’ll share project updates and information via our newsletters and our FAQs.
Resources
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 acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.