NATIONALS' Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, and state MP for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, are joining with local advocates from the Kiewa Valley to object to
two alternative energy proposals near Dederang.
The MPs met with members of the Friends of the Kiewa and Alpine Valleys Inc on Tuesday to ramp up their ongoing campaign against two Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) proposals near Dederang, which they believe pose an unacceptable increased fire first to local rural residents.
Trina Solar has submitted a development application to the Victorian Government for its proposed 500 MW/1000 MWh Kiewa Valley BESS, planned on a 10-hectare site located approximately 1.7km south-west of the Dederang Terminal Station, where it can be integrated into the grid via the existing transmission line infrastructure.
The Kiewa Valley BESS is designed using CATL battery technology and SMA inverters.
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Mint Renewables is investigating a BESS with a storage capacity of 400 MWh, such as a system that can produce 200 MW for two hours or 100 MW for four hours, also in close proximity to the Dederang Terminal Station.
But spokesperson for Friends of the Kiewa and Alpine Valleys Inc, Sharon McEvoy, said both proposals "produce an unacceptable fire risk and impacts community safety".
“A pressing safety concern is the potential for fires, particularly thermal runaway and the release of toxic chemicals," she said.
“BESS infrastructure poses significant risks to local rural fire brigades, staffed by volunteers with limited resources.
“The site is remote from advanced firefighting crews and equipment.”
Senator McKenzie praised locals for being willing to stand up and protect their environment.
“The people of Dederang and the Kiewa Valley have had the courage to lead on this issue and make a stand against a proposal that will be detrimental to public and private property for decades,” she said.
“You don’t save the environment by destroying the environment.”
Mr McCurdy expressed his frustrated at locals’ voices not being heard.
“The Federal Government is refusing to listen to locals all across Victoria and instead is pushing through an energy agenda that will decimate farming communities,” he said.
“If we do not have land for farmers, we will not be able to feed the nation in the future – it is as simple as that.”
The group is encouraging those who wish to object to the two proposals to visit https://dederangbigbattery.com.au/
Both Trina Solar and Mint Renewables have encouraged community members to get in contact with them over any concerns or questions.
People can contact Mint Renewables via dederangbattery@mintrenewables.com and Trina Solar at kiewavalleyBESS@trinasolar.com.
