The Goldfields region has always been an integral part of the Western Australian story of enterprise, industry and opportunity. Today, Kalgoorlie and the Eastern Goldfields contribute around $19 billion to the State’s economy each year, mining the critical minerals and rare earths that underpin the technologies at the heart of the global clean energy transition, including electric vehicles, solar panels, and wind turbines.
As Western Australia (WA) decarbonises its energy systems and builds a more diverse, more resilient economy, the region will continue to play a vital role in shaping our State’s future - supported by new energy infrastructure to power its growth.
To help support energy resilience in the region and power a more diverse and resilient local economy, the State Government has committed $150 million toward the development of a Vanadium Battery Energy Storage System (VBESS) in Kalgoorlie. Once complete, the 50 megawatt/500 megawatt-hour battery will be capable of discharging for up to ten hours, helping to integrate more renewable generation into the grid, strengthen system stability, and support the development of a cleaner, more resilient energy system for Western Australia.
Expression of Interest
To advance the VBESS project, the State Government, through the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, is now conducting a two-stage Expression of Interest (EOI) process to refine the final scope of the project.
Stage One of this EOI is now open and will run until 30 January 2026.
Responses to Stage One should be submitted via email to VBESS@deed.wa.gov.au.
Responses to Stage One will be used to:
- Explore how local businesses could play a role in delivering the project, working with industry to determine practical and achievable local content outcomes.
- Define how the project can be delivered efficiently and on time while ensuring the best value-for-money for WA.
- Inform the structure of the State Government’s $150 million commitment.
- Build a clearer picture of potential technologies, investment requirements, job creation and other project details.
Stage Two of the EOI, to be held in early-to-mid 2026, will evaluate detailed business cases against the criteria developed based on responses to Stage One, with the aim of selecting a preferred proponent to deliver the VBESS project.
Relevant Documents
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If you have any further questions, please reach out to VBESS@deed.wa.gov.au.
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