$150 million investment opportunity for renewable energy developers 5 min read
The Western Australian Government’s $150 million investment in a 50 MW / 500 MWh vanadium flow battery in Kalgoorlie represents a significant milestone for renewable energy and regional economic development.
On 24 November 2025, the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification opened expressions of interest for eligible businesses to participate in the project, which aims to enhance energy storage capacity and support the state’s transition away from coal-fired power. The battery is expected to be operational by 2029, aligning with WA’s broader renewable energy goals.
In this Insight, we outline the key details of the project and what project proponents need to know about participating.
Key takeaways
- Expressions of interest (EOIs) are now open for the $150 million vanadium flow battery project in Kalgoorlie, offering eligible project proponents the opportunity to contribute to WA’s clean energy transition.
- The project involves the construction of a 50 MW / 500 MWh battery capable of providing up to 10 hours of energy storage, with operations expected to begin by 2029.
- Businesses interested in participating should review the eligibility requirements and prepare submissions ahead of Stage 1 EOIs closing on 30 January 2026.
A strategic investment in renewable energy and regional economic growth
The WA Government’s $150 million investment in a 50 MW / 500 MWh vanadium flow battery, capable of discharging for up to 10 hours, reflects a strong commitment to renewable energy innovation and regional development. The project is designed to stabilise the Eastern Goldfields grid situated at the edge of the South West Interconnected System and promote investment in long-duration energy storage solutions in WA.
Recent rolling blackouts in Kalgoorlie-Boulder have demonstrated the critical need for reliable electricity storage solutions in the region. With backup generators providing only half of the town’s power needs, residents have faced prolonged outages like those seen in January 2024 amidst extreme heat exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. The project is set to address these vulnerabilities by delivering at least six hours of backup electricity storage.
WA's role in leading the renewable transition
Premier Roger Cook has highlighted that this initiative will place Kalgoorlie 'at the forefront of the newest technology in energy storage', with benefits extending beyond grid reliability to fostering local industry development.
The South West Interconnected System has a high percentage of renewable penetration; however, such intermittent generation cannot be effectively stored for later use. Western Australia's geographical landscape largely rules out pumped hydro storage, meaning there is a market opportunity for investment in long duration battery storage.
The role of vanadium in transforming the energy landscape
Currently, more than 85% of the world’s vanadium supply comes from Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil. Western Australia, however, is poised to challenge this dominance with one of the largest known deposits near Meekatharra, expected to begin production by 2027. This development will strengthen WA’s position as a leader in critical minerals and accelerate its renewable energy ambitions.
The WA Government has already taken steps to explore the potential of vanadium flow batteries. In November 2024, it trialled a 78-kilowatt battery in the Kimberley region. Horizon Power’s Future Technology and Innovation Manager, David Edwards, praised the battery’s performance under extreme temperatures, noting it had 'exceeded expectations' and demonstrated its suitability for WA’s harsh conditions.
Graham Arvidson, CEO of Australian Vanadium, emphasised the transformative potential of these batteries, highlighting that they are non-flammable, last 30 to 50 years without degrading and are fully recyclable. While high costs have limited widespread adoption so far, Arvidson predicts 'we will see lots more of these batteries… once economics align with technology benefits like durability and recyclability'.
Challenges remain before Meekatharra becomes operational, including regulatory approvals and recent fluctuations in global vanadium prices. However, Arvidson remains confident that 'the role of critical minerals like vanadium will continue to grow'.
EOIs now open
On 24 November 2025, the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification opened EOIs for eligible businesses to participate in the project. The EOI process will be conducted in two stages to refine the final project scope.
Stage One - open until 30 January 2026
Responses to Stage One will help the Department explore:
- existing market capabilities, including local industry and businesses, in delivering the project.
- efficient project delivery, by assessing proponents’ indicative sequencing and timelines.
- potential technologies, investment requirements and other project details.
At this stage, details regarding the structure of the WA Government’s $150 million commitment have not been provided. The Government intends to use Stage One responses to inform the funding structure and has indicated flexibility to accommodate the successful proponent’s needs. Proponents are encouraged to outline their preferred structure for financial support.
Stage Two - early to mid-2026
Stage Two will focus on selecting a preferred proponent to deliver the project. Selection will be based on an evaluation of detailed business cases against criteria developed from Stage One responses.
Eligibility requirements
The WA Government has released a comprehensive Stage One EOI explanatory document which project proponents should review when preparing their submission.
If a proponent can only support part of the supply chain, they may be paired with another proponent to receive financial support. This process may be facilitated by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification ahead of Stage Two.
When assessing submissions, the Government will consider:
- the proponent’s approach to local industry participation.
- potential investments in a local vanadium flow battery supply chain.
- proposed partnerships and arrangements with local businesses.
Indicative timeline
The indicative timeline published by the WA Government is set out below:
| Stage One closes | Stage One assessment | Conduct Stage Two | Stage Two assessment | Preferred respondent negotiations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 January 2026 | February 2026 | March to April 2026 | May 2026 | June to July 2026 |
Future stages of the EOI process will be clarified in due course.
Actions you can take now
- Assess the opportunity for your organisation: consider how involvement in the vanadium battery project could align with your organisation’s capabilities, long-term goals or strategic focus on renewable energy and regional development.
- Prepare supporting documentation: collate key documents such as prior project experience and certifications that may strengthen your EOI submission.
- Submit an EOI: ensure your submission highlights your business’s relevant expertise and demonstrates how you can contribute to the project’s success.
If you have questions about, or require assistance with, what is discussed in this Insight, please contact any of the contacts listed below.