Vanadium battery project—Kalgoorlie
953. Hon Dr Steve Thomasto theLeader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:
I refer to the government's announced election promise in January 2025 of $150 million for the development of a 50 megawatts–500 megawatt hours vanadium battery for Kalgoorlie, which, according to the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification website on 9 September this year, will soon be open for expressions of interest.
(1) Are expressions of interest for this project open?
(2) If yes to (1), have any submissions been received and when will the EOI close?
(3) If no to (1), why not and when will it open?
(4) Is the government now looking at alternative battery backup proposals other than a 500 megawatt hour lithium battery?
(5) If yes to (4), what alternatives are being considered?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification is currently designing the expression of interest process. This process will open later in 2025.
(4) No.
(5) Not applicable.
