Bendigo Battery

The project

Pacific Blue is proposing the Bendigo Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a utility-scale battery designed to store electricity and support the reliability of Victoria's electricity network. The Development Application for the Bendigo BESS was submitted to the Department of Transport and Planning in mid-2026 and is now on public exhibition.

Public exhibition provides an opportunity for community members and stakeholders to review the Planning Permit Application documents and make a submission about the proposal. The documents are available on the Ministerial permits register website, with submissions open until 2 November 2026.  

Pacific Blue will also be holding community information sessions during the public exhibition period, providing an opportunity to learn more about the proposal and speak directly with members of the project team. Details of the upcoming sessions are provided below.

The proposed Bendigo BESS would be located within a future industrial estate in Golden Square, adjacent to the Bendigo Terminal Station. Once operational, the battery would store excess electricity generated during periods of lower demand and release it back into the grid when it is needed most.

Pacific Blue's involvement is limited to the proposed BESS project. The broader industrial estate is being planned and developed by a separate developer, and Pacific Blue would be one of several future tenants within the estate.

Any site investigations, earthworks or construction activities currently occurring within the industrial estate are being undertaken by the estate developer, not Pacific Blue. Subject to approvals, Pacific Blue would only commence construction of the BESS after the industrial estate has been completed and the site is available for tenancy.

The Bendigo BESS would occupy a dedicated site in the southern portion of the estate, closest to Gray Street and extending into the south-eastern corner of the development area. An artist's impression showing the proposed location of the Bendigo BESS within the future industrial estate can be viewed below.

If you’d like to get in touch with us about the Bendigo BESS, feel free to send us an email on [email protected].
 

Local community information sessions

Local community information sessions

Pacific Blue will be holding a Community Drop-in session during the public exhibition period for the Bendigo BESS.
The session will provide an opportunity for community members to meet with the project team, learn more about the proposed Bendigo BESS and the Development Application, and discuss the technical assessments and other information available as part of the public exhibition process.

Bendigo BESS Community Drop-In Session

Date: 8 October 2026
Time: 1 – 6pm Drop in any time during this period
Location: Kangaroo Flat Library, 23 Lockwood Road Kangaroo Flat
No RSVP is required - simply drop in at a time that suits you. If you’re unable to attend, or have any questions about the project, please feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected].
 

Bendigo BESS Community Session on 19 May 2026

Earlier this year, Pacific Blue held three Community Information Sessions for the Bendigo BESS project, giving community members the chance to hear directly from the team about the project, the planning process and engagement activities undertaken to date.

Keep an eye on the project website or contact [email protected] to stay up to date.
 

Project overview

The Bendigo BESS is proposed within a future industrial estate adjacent to the Bendigo Terminal Station. Pacific Blue's role is limited to the development and operation of the BESS and does not include the planning or construction of the broader industrial estate, which is being developed independently by a separate developer. Pacific Blue would be one of several future tenants within the estate and would only commence construction of the BESS once the industrial estate development is complete.
 

Storage Capacity: 201 MW/ 866 MWh, 4-hour duration
 

• Location: Golden Square, Bendigo – adjacent to the existing Bendigo Terminal Station
• Site Area: Approximately five hectares
• Grid Connection: Direct connection to the existing 220 kV terminal station via a new underground cable.
• Estimated Construction Period: Construction is expected to begin in late 2028, with works expected to take around 12–18 months to complete. Timeframes may change depending on approvals, market conditions, and other project-related factors.
• Expected Operational Life: 20 to 25 years

Why Bendigo?

The site was selected for its:

• Close proximity to an existing substation, reducing the need for new transmission infrastructure
• A central substation connection between three different existing transmission lines, helping to improve reliability on the local network and free up capacity in parts of the network where congestion occurs.
• Location on industrial-zoned land that has been used for waste storage, industrial development, and mining purposes for decades.
• Low environmental impact relative to other potential land options or uses of the land.
• Relatively flat topography with minimal vegetation.
• Access to arterial road networks including Hattam Street (C353) and the Midland Highway (A79)
• Strategic alignment with Bendigo’s industrial and mining heritage, utilising local expertise during the construction and operation of the project.
   

Consultation with the local distribution network service provider and preliminary studies indicated that the project has the potential to help improve electricity reliability in Bendigo and surrounding areas - particularly during hot summer days when electricity demand is high and the network’s ability to transfer power over long distances is reduced.

Community engagement

Working with the Bendigo Community

We know that projects like this can raise questions, and we want to make sure you have the information you need, when you need it.

Pacific Blue intends to engage openly and respectfully with stakeholders throughout each stage of the project, from planning through to construction and operation. That means listening first, and keeping you informed along the way.

What does it look like in practice?

We'll take the time to understand what matters most to local people, and we'll be upfront about potential impacts, including during construction, and how and when feedback from stakeholders influences our approach. We'll provide regular updates through this website and other channels and encourage people to get in touch to arrange a meeting or a phone call if there are any questions or comments.

We're also focused on making sure the project delivers real local benefit. That includes looking for opportunities to use local contractors and workers, and through our Community Funding Program, to support local not-for-profits and community groups as part of Pacific Blue's Sustainable Communities Fund.

Have a question or want to get involved? Email us on [email protected].

Land and site conditions

The Bendigo BESS will be developed on the outskirts of the Bendigo CBD in Golden Square, within a future industrial park bordered by Hattam, Allingham, Gray and Coonooer Streets, and located adjacent to the 220 kV Bendigo Terminal Station, which is a major benefit to the project as its proximity enables a seamless connection without the need for large-scale new transmission towers. The site comprises unused industrial-zoned land that was previously used for storage and, over time, for historic mining and industrial waste storage. The land is currently being developed into an industrial precinct. 

The project is situated on land that the local Djaara people, the Traditional Owners of Dja Dja Wurrung Country, have characterised as ‘Upside Down Land,’ being that the land was previously heavily disturbed and impacted by historical mining. The project has the opportunity to help make Country healthier by incorporating First Nations place making and revegetation plans.

Traditional Custodians

The project is located on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, and we are engaging with DJAARA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) to better understand the cultural significance of the site and surrounding landscape. Through this collaboration, we are considering how the project can be designed and delivered in a way that is respectful of Country, informed by local knowledge, and responsive to the broader environmental context.

Fire and bushfire safety 

Fire safety and emergency management are key areas of concern for communities and energy companies when considering and planning BESS projects.

While we have not yet selected the make or model of the BESS modules as the project is in early-stage development, safety is our top priority and we are committed to choosing technology with industry-leading protections against fire and thermal run-away risks.

Pacific Blue will share information with the broader community about how BESS modules address this risk, what models of BESS modules are being considered, and how our approach aligns with manufacturer safety protocols to minimise risk to people, property and the environment, once the equipment options are shortlisted.

While we have not shortlisted the equipment yet, Pacific Blue will only consider BESS containers with a sophisticated battery management system that carefully monitors the battery’s cell health and regulates the temperature, so they don’t overheat during operation. Each container will feature fire detection and suppression systems to prevent a potential fire from spreading to adjacent containers. The proposed battery location has been previously cleared of vegetation so it could be used as part of an industrial park development. The area will have sufficient space to ensure the risk of fire to or from the development is low. 

As part of our broader safety planning, Pacific Blue has been working closely with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to incorporate the CFA's Design Guidelines and Model Requirements for Renewable Energy Facilities in Victoria into the project design. This helps ensure the project is designed to support emergency preparedness and aligns with relevant Victorian requirements and standards.

Preliminary fire risk, bushfire and hazard studies have been completed to form part of the planning application allowing for mitigation measures to be in place early on in the project. 

The project-specific Environmental Management Plan will be developed at a later stage as the project progresses towards construction. The plan will include bushfire management measures to address potential fire risks during construction, operation and decommissioning. On-site staff will implement local Emergency Management protocols in the event of a fire in the area.

Planning and approvals

Under the Victorian planning scheme and the Development Facilitation Program (DFP), the Bendigo BESS is subject to a planning permit in which the Minister for Planning will be the responsible authority (decision maker) with referral to the City of Greater Bendigo Council.

Pacific Blue lodged the planning application for the project with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) in June 2026, following extensive engagement with neighbours, stakeholders and the broader community. 

A range of technical assessments and environmental studies were undertaken to support the application and ensure all relevant matters were considered in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry best practice. These assessments include but are not limited to:

• Operational noise
• Fire safety study and hazard risks
• Bushfire impact assessment
• Traffic and access
• Visual amenity
• Native vegetation
• Geotechnical consideration
• Historical mineshafts
• Stormwater management
• Social and economic impacts

Pacific Blue remains committed to providing clear and transparent information about the planning process and key project milestones, including opportunities for the community to participate in the statutory planning process. 

Environmental and safety measures

As the project progresses through the permitting stage towards construction, a suite of management plans will be developed, inclusive of safety and environmental, to manage impacts during construction. This is expected to include:

• Fire mitigation and management measures
• Natural disaster management planning
• Construction noise and vibration mitigation measures
• Dust and traffic control
• Safety and quality control

While we are very early in the process, we know that the community will be interested in how the plans will be developed and adhered to. If you would like to be kept up to date with how these are being developed, and to share some insights, please register your details by emailing us at [email protected].

Grid connection

Connecting the project to the electricity network is a key part of the development and involves a detailed, multi-stage assessment process to ensure the safety, reliability and performance of the network.

As part of this process, Pacific Blue will undertake comprehensive system modelling to assess how the project performs under a range of conditions, including peak demand, system disturbances and fluctuations in renewable generation. This ensures the project supports the stability of the electricity system and can assist in reducing the risk of outages.

To progress the connection, Pacific Blue will submit a formal grid connection application to VicGrid and other relevant network bodies. This triggers a rigorous technical assessment, where system operators and independent specialists review the project’s performance, control systems, protection settings and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Pacific Blue will work closely with VicGrid, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and other key stakeholders throughout this process to ensure the project meets all engineering and system security requirements, and delivers reliable electricity to the network.

Next steps

Engagement with stakeholders remains an important part of the project. We value the feedback, local knowledge and perspectives shared by community members, landholders, businesses and other stakeholders throughout the planning process. This input has helped inform the project's development and will continue to be considered as the project progresses.

Pacific Blue is committed to ongoing engagement with the community and other key stakeholders. If you have any questions or would like further information, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Below is an image of our BESS at Clements Gap, providing an indication of what the project may look like in Bendigo.