Retailer-led storage investment will help power more customer renewable agreements and accelerate consumer participation in the energy transition.

Australian renewable energy developer and retailer Flow Power has reached financial close on its largest project to date. The 100 MW/223 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), located near Hazelwood North in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, represents a significant addition to Flow Power’s rapidly expanding, clean energy generation portfolio. Flow Power was supported in the transaction by its majority shareholder, OPTrust.

Bennetts Creek is part of Flow Power’s strategy to turn customers into participants in the renewable transition, pairing long-term renewable offtake with large-scale storage so more homes and businesses can access firmed renewable supply.

With projects such as Bennetts Creek adding large‑scale storage to Flow Power’s renewable portfolio, the company is able to underwrite and expand innovative retail offerings that reward customers for supporting the grid at critical times. This capability underpins Flow Power’s residential product, “Flow Home”, which now offers an up to 45c/kWh feed‑in tariff between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, paying a premium when exports are most valuable and secured by Bennetts Creek and Flow Power’s broader portfolio of renewable generation assets.

Delivery of the project will be supported by both Wärtsilä, which will provide battery technology and intelligent control systems, and Zenviron, which will handle the balance-ofplant design, construction, installation and commissioning. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.

Byron Serjeantson, CFO & COO at Flow Power, said:

“Bennetts Creek is our 11th project to date, and first large-scale stand-alone battery. It represents a significant milestone for Flow Power and demonstration of the strong capabilities of our team.”

“Once operational, the Project will help us provide more homes and businesses with access to innovative, firmed renewable energy products, as well as strengthen our growing project portfolio across the National Electricity Market.”

Stan Kolenc, Senior Managing Director, OPTrust and Chairman, Flow Power, said:

“Large scale storage is a critical enabler of Australia’s low-carbon grid transition and this project both strengthens Flow Power’s ability to offer firmed renewable supply to customers, while aligning with OPTrust’s long-term, responsible investment objectives.”

Beth Rigby, Zenviron General Manager said:

“Zenviron is delighted to be delivering the Balance of Plant scope on the Bennetts Creek project and working with Flow Power to grow Victoria’s energy capacity. We look forward to working with the local community and businesses during the construction of this exciting project.”

Suraj Narayan, Managing Director Australia at Wärtsilä, said:

“Flow Power shares our commitment to accelerating Australia’s clean energy goals, and this project demonstrates how advanced batteries can deliver both reliability and revenue. As the National Electricity Market transitions to a lower carbon system with increasing variable renewable energy, systems with strong frequency response capabilities, like Bennetts Creek, will be ideally positioned to tap into these new high-value opportunities.”

Project financing has been provided by Westpac and SMBC Australia. Flow Power was supported by Planum Partners as financial advisors, with Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer acting as legal counsel to the project and Allens as lenders counsel. Other key advisors to the project included Everoze, Aurecon and Aurora.

Flow Power will work with local stakeholders to design and deliver community benefit initiatives for the Bennetts Creek project, committing up to $100,000 over the project’s first five years. Initiatives will include (but not limited to):

  • A local energy offer for eligible commercial and industrial customers, aligned with construction commencement
  • Support for local youth and community programs, including the Little Village Project in partnership with Kindred Spirit Enterprises and the Morwell Football Netball Club’s Junior Football Academy Program

For any media enquiries, images or interviews, please contact:  flowpower@horizoncg.com.au

About Flow Power

Flow Power is an electricity, technology and engineering company that has been reshaping energy for Australia since 2008. Flow Power’s renewable energy portfolio encompasses wind, solar and storage – while its innovative approach uncovers new and better ways to deliver reliable, renewable energy that brings costs down and puts the power back in customers’ hands.

One of Australia’s fastest-growing energy retailers, Flow Power serves some of our best loved organisations including Asahi Beverages, Sydney Opera House, Snack Brands, Westpac, City of Sydney, The University of Melbourne, RM Williams, Newcastle Airport and Harris Farm Markets.

A long-term industry leader in the renewable energy transition, Flow Power has recently launched its innovative residential electricity plan, Flow Home, which empowers Australians to make their homes a force for good in the renewable energy transition.
Flow Power: creating Australia’s renewable energy future, together.
For more information: flowpower.com.au