Battery storage systems at Camperdown and Cobden could power up to 30,000 homes
The creators of the large-scale energy storage sites say the tech would stabilise energy prices for locals and enable greater use of wind and solar.
Zara Cuthbertson
July 30, 2025
Two large-scale batteries — one each for Camperdown and Cobden — are being proposed, and the developers want to know what locals think.
The potential sites are on private farmland and, according to the developer, could power around 30,000 homes.
Construction is slated to start in 2026, and it would take 12 months to build the batteries.
Australian Renewable Energy Services (ARES) is behind the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) plan.
A large scale battery system consists of rows of rectangular boxes that look similar to storage containers.
An artist’s impression of the Cobden site. Image credit: ARES
ARES Managing Director Sigi Psutka-Jones told the Brolga that the batteries would operate in the wholesale market. Each site would store energy during the day and return it to the grid when demand surges.
“When there’s rooftop solar and the wind is blowing a lot, prices decrease significantly, and then spike in the evenings, when solar radiation is lower and there’s not much sun, and there might be less wind,” Psutka-Jones said.
“By doing so the batteries help to flatten that curve and overall will bring those prices in general average down. It is an enabler to access more renewable energy. From an environmental sustainability point of view, we can get rid of all the fossil fuel power plants like coal and the majority of gas.”
An artist’s impression of a battery up close. Image credit: ARES
The batteries have a lifespan of about 20 years. Retrofitting can extend that life, or components can be recycled.
Asked about the possibility of the batteries igniting a bushfire, Psutka-Jones said “in the design, we have to include certain protections”.
He said there would be an area of five to 10 metres around the facility’s perimeter fence that would be cleared of any fuel load.
Inside the site, a 30-metre buffer zone would be kept clear, and fire suppression units fitted to each battery container.
Batteries would also be spread out to prevent fire jumping from one unit to another, and sprinkler systems would be installed.
Construction is expected to generate more than 100 jobs, with four permanent roles created post-delivery.
Community drop-in sessions are in Camperdown from July 31 to August 2, and in Cobden on August 3 and 4.