Australian-first battery project to reinforce Kalgoorlie’s energy system

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will provide $150 million for a new, Western Australia-made 50 megawatt vanadium battery in Kalgoorlie to further reinforce the Goldfields’ energy system and create around 150 local jobs.
  • Re-elected Cook Labor Government will invest $150 million in WA-made vanadium battery
  • Project will further reinforce Kalgoorlie’s energy system and create around 150 jobs
  • Cook Government has secured additional gas back-up generation for the Goldfields and is well underway with the process to replace West Kalgoorlie Power Station by 2026
  • Project to stimulate WA’s emerging vanadium industry and create opportunities for local battery manufacturing in Kalgoorlie

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will provide $150 million for a new, Western Australia-made 50 megawatt vanadium battery in Kalgoorlie to further reinforce the Goldfields’ energy system and create around 150 local jobs.

The battery will provide 10 hours of back-up electricity storage to provide an additional layer of protection and guard against weather events or other supply disruptions.

Western Australia has one of the world’s largest vanadium deposits being developed south of Meekatharra, with local vanadium supply expected by 2027.

A re-elected Cook Labor Government's investment in this Australian-first project will drive growth in the emerging vanadium industry and stimulate opportunities for downstream processing and exports.

The mineral is expected to play an increasing role in batteries around the world – as it can deliver the kind of long-duration storage needed in systems retiring coal and introducing more renewables.

This includes in WA, as the Cook Labor Government continues its nation-leading work to retire State-owned coal by 2030.

The 50MW, 10-hour battery is planned to be operational in 2029 and will be located near existing transmission infrastructure, with the final location to be determined in consultation with industry.

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will also work with the private sector to create opportunities for local battery manufacturing in Kalgoorlie to create additional ongoing local jobs.

This additional system reinforcement will add to the Cook Labor Government’s work already underway to replace West Kalgoorlie Power Station by 2026, in addition to its work securing new gas back-up generation from the mining industry in 2024.

More than 85 per cent of the world’s vanadium supply comes from Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil.

Supporting WA’s emerging industry has the potential to create thousands of new mining and local processing jobs, as well as significant export income. The USA, Europe, South Korea and Japan would be potential markets for WA vanadium.

Vanadium offers benefits over conventional lithium batteries, including heat resistance, lifespan, recyclability and no fire risk. It has additional applications in steel production, electronics, fuel cells, superconductors and fertilisers.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“Strengthening and reinforcing the electricity system is my number one priority for the Goldfields.

“We have work well underway to replace West Kalgoorlie Power Station by 2026, secured additional gas back up from the mining industry last year, and invested millions in improvements to the transmission network."

“This project will provide further back up, with 10 hours of supply able to be dispersed when it is needed. This will really help if weather events or other disruptions hit the region."

“In addition to the 150 local jobs created during construction, I want to work with industry to develop a local vanadium battery manufacturing industry here in Kalgoorlie to support more local jobs."

“I want this project to be a catalyst to drive a new vanadium mining, processing and export industry for WA - to make more things here, diversify the economy and create the jobs of the future.”

Comments attributed to Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:

“Since 2021, the Cook Labor Government has invested more than $130 million in measures to improve energy reliability in the Goldfields."

“Today’s commitment will add another layer of protection to the system, making sure there is another back up in place when the region experiences serious weather events or other disruptions to the system."

“Ahead of this Australian-first project being delivered in the coming years, we have been getting on with the process of replacing West Kalgoorlie Power Station, a project we will deliver by 2026."

“I’m incredibly proud that Kalgoorlie-Boulder has been selected for this Australian-first project.”

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