Letters to the Editor

Letter: Council should rethink its BESS objection

By Letter to the Editor

Oct 9, 2026

The site for a proposed battery storage project in Shepparton. Photo by Shepparton News

Why is Greater Shepparton City Council objecting to the Battery Energy Storage System proposed for Grahamvale adjacent to the large electrical terminal station there?

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

How could there be a better location than very close to the largest electrical distribution facility in Shepparton? Checking the aerial photography of the proposed site indicates it is for a cleared block within an orchard area only 200 metres from the substation. In 2010 it was not under irrigation, nor does it appear to have been irrigated over any summers seen in the available satellite imagery to date.

How can the council allow large areas of former irrigated land to be developed for industrial and residential developments, and then object to a development that will help power all those residences and businesses into the future?

Remove the ideological blinkers and recognise the important function that this large BESS development will provide the region, and more importantly, the competitiveness of Shepparton’s many industries. Today (Friday), for example, Victoria’s electricity grid had substantial period of negative priced electricity. This means lots of commercial and residential solar generation will have been curtailed and not used.

This large BESS on the 220kV powerline will bring cheap electricity into Shepparton’s grid and make it available to businesses and residents when the sun has gone down. It will also bring improved reliability and stability to Shepparton’s power supply.

Hopefully council will reconsider its objection to this vitally important investment in the region’s growth, prosperity and sustainability. It might even consider helping the development proceed instead of putting roadblocks in the way.

Dr Bruce Gill

Tatura