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On November 24th, it was announced that the Kalgoorlie Vanadium Battery Energy Storage System (VBESS) project in Australia has officially opened its call for Expressions of Interest (EOI).
Backed by 150 million AUD in government funding, the project involves installing a 50MW/500MWh vanadium redox flow battery manufactured in Western Australia (WA). The system will utilize locally sourced and processed vanadium and is capable of continuous discharge for up to 10 hours.
Upon completion, it will become the largest energy storage system of its kind in Australia, driving WA’s advanced manufacturing sector and supporting a new local supply chain centered on vanadium mining, processing, and flow battery technology.
The installation of this VBESS is a key campaign commitment under the Cook Government’s "WA Made" initiative, aimed at diversifying the economy, establishing WA as a renewable energy powerhouse, and boosting local manufacturing.
The first stage of the two-phase EOI process is now live and will run until January 30, 2026, focusing on identifying and understanding existing market capabilities. This phase is not part of the formal procurement process. The second stage, scheduled for early to mid-2026, will evaluate detailed business proposals to select a preferred solution for the project.
The government encourages local enterprises to collaborate with the industry to ensure practical, localized outcomes.
Amber-Jade Sanderson, Minister for Energy and Decarbonization, stated: "This EOI marks the launch of a significant project that will enhance power reliability in the Goldfields and support our clean energy transition. We aim to collaborate with the industry to deliver localized content, high-quality jobs, and real value to Western Australia".
Ali Kent, Member for Kalgoorlie, added: "I am thrilled to see progress on this locally manufactured VBESS in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region. This is an exciting milestone for our region, and I am proud of the Cook Government’s 150 million AUD commitment to making this project a reality".
In February 2025, Premier Roger Cook (pictured above) hoped the project would be a catalyst for further vanadium business in Western Australia
In February 2025, Premier Roger Cook announced that if re-elected, he would invest 150 million AUD (approx. 92.4 million USD) into this 500MWh long-duration storage system.
Planned for the mining town of Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields-Esperance region, the project aims to replace the existing 57MW West Kalgoorlie gas turbine power station, which currently provides emergency backup power. Premier Cook emphasized that the station’s decommissioning is a key driver for the vanadium battery project. Scheduled for commissioning in 2029, the project is expected to act as a catalyst for WA’s vanadium mining, processing, and export sectors, driving economic diversification and future job creation.
