Victoria to Push Ahead With Chinese-Backed ‘Mega’ Battery Despite Local Protests

Labor says the mega-battery will drive jobs and renewables; locals warn it endangers farms, communities and ecosystems.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan speaks to media during a press conference at Victorian Parliament in Melbourne, Australia, on June 19, 2025. AAP Image/Diego Fedele

Despite petitions, protests, and council objections, the Allan government has greenlit a Chinese-backed mega battery in North-East Victoria, a decision residents say tramples rural voices.

Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed the decision in Beijing on Sept. 16 after meeting with Trina Solar, the company behind the 500-megawatt Kiewa Valley Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Dederang.