Farmers Oppose Battery Storage Plans on Agricultural Land

ABC Gippsland

Topic: Renewable Energy

Mon 25 May 2026 at 7:18am

James Faithful wants to stop plans for battery energy storage systems on farmland in west Gippsland.

In short:

Three battery energy storage systems are planned for farmland in Baw Baw Shire in west Gippsland.

The companies behind the plans say the extra electricity will be needed when coal-fired power stations in Victoria are closed.

What's next?

Victoria's planning minister is looking at the plans, but the local council is against them.

James Faithful has been farming cattle in Darnum in west Gippsland for about 11 years.

He loves the green hills, trees, and eagles in his area.

When he heard about a plan for a battery energy storage system nearby, he was very upset.

He said, 'This is a bad idea,' when he saw the plan and visited the area.

Samsung would use power lines to send stored battery energy into the national electricity grid.

He said his first reaction was 'go away'.

He said putting an industrial facility on agricultural land would take it out of use.

Power after coal

Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia has applied to build a battery with a 200 megawatt active power capacity and 800 megawatt hour storage system at Shady Creek.

Another company, ZEBRE, wants to build a 210-megawatt battery energy storage system on grazing land at Yarragon North.

A German company, ib vogt, has applied to develop a 360 megawatt battery energy storage system on an 18-hectare site in Trafalgar East.

The companies are trying to fill a gap in the energy market when coal-fired power stations are closed.

Their battery systems would store electricity and send it to the national grid during peak demand.

A sign opposes the Samsung battery along the Princes Freeway in Darnum.

Council takes a stand

Baw Baw Shire already has a small 5 megawatt battery storage system built at Longwarry in 2022.

The local council is strongly against the three new plans and has written to the Victorian government to find new sites that are not on farmland.

The council says it supports renewable energy but is concerned about the impact on agricultural land and the community.

The site of a small battery in Longwarry

BESS fire fears

A group called Friends of Gippsland says a petition against the plans has about 6,000 signatures due to concerns about fire and environmental risks.

ZEBRE said its battery would use safe technology and have fire detection systems.

The company said its systems can control a battery fire.

The CFA has guidelines for renewable energy facilities.

The CFA works with regulators to ensure fire risk management is considered in the design and operation of renewable energy facilities.

Fire safety is a key concern for communities where a facility is proposed.

The Victorian government said any plan would be considered on its merits, and community members can make submissions.

The batteries are planned for around Darnum in West Gippsland.

Batteries are a key part of the energy transition

Andrew Bray from RE-Alliance said batteries are important for the transition from coal power to clean energy.

He said companies must consult with local communities and show why their projects are needed.

The Friends of Gippsland group formed to fight against battery plans on farmland.

Samsung said its battery location is suitable due to its proximity to transmission lines.

The company said it consulted with the CFA on fire safety features.

James Faithful has vowed to fight the battery developers.

But Mr Faithful said he and his neighbors are not convinced batteries are a good use of farmland.

He said, 'I think we're trying to make it clear that there are better areas.'

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Mon 25 May 2026 at 7:18am

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Farmers Oppose Battery Storage Plans on Agricultural Land

ABC Gippsland

Topic: Renewable Energy

Mon 25 May 2026 at 7:18am

James Faithful wants to stop plans for battery energy storage systems on farmland in west Gippsland.

In short:

Three battery energy storage systems are planned for farmland in Baw Baw Shire in west Gippsland.

The companies behind the plans say the extra electricity will be needed when coal-fired power stations in Victoria are closed.

What's next?

Victoria's planning minister is looking at the plans, but the local council is against them.

James Faithful has been farming cattle in Darnum in west Gippsland for about 11 years.

He loves the green hills, trees, and eagles in his area.

When he heard about a plan for a battery energy storage system nearby, he was very upset.

He said, 'This is a bad idea,' when he saw the plan and visited the area.

Samsung would use power lines to send stored battery energy into the national electricity grid.

He said his first reaction was 'go away'.

He said putting an industrial facility on agricultural land would take it out of use.

Power after coal

Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia has applied to build a battery with a 200 megawatt active power capacity and 800 megawatt hour storage system at Shady Creek.

Another company, ZEBRE, wants to build a 210-megawatt battery energy storage system on grazing land at Yarragon North.

A German company, ib vogt, has applied to develop a 360 megawatt battery energy storage system on an 18-hectare site in Trafalgar East.

The companies are trying to fill a gap in the energy market when coal-fired power stations are closed.

Their battery systems would store electricity and send it to the national grid during peak demand.

A sign opposes the Samsung battery along the Princes Freeway in Darnum.

Council takes a stand

Baw Baw Shire already has a small 5 megawatt battery storage system built at Longwarry in 2022.

The local council is strongly against the three new plans and has written to the Victorian government to find new sites that are not on farmland.

The council says it supports renewable energy but is concerned about the impact on agricultural land and the community.

The site of a small battery in Longwarry

BESS fire fears

A group called Friends of Gippsland says a petition against the plans has about 6,000 signatures due to concerns about fire and environmental risks.

ZEBRE said its battery would use safe technology and have fire detection systems.

The company said its systems can control a battery fire.

The CFA has guidelines for renewable energy facilities.

The CFA works with regulators to ensure fire risk management is considered in the design and operation of renewable energy facilities.

Fire safety is a key concern for communities where a facility is proposed.

The Victorian government said any plan would be considered on its merits, and community members can make submissions.

The batteries are planned for around Darnum in West Gippsland.

Batteries are a key part of the energy transition

Andrew Bray from RE-Alliance said batteries are important for the transition from coal power to clean energy.

He said companies must consult with local communities and show why their projects are needed.

The Friends of Gippsland group formed to fight against battery plans on farmland.

Samsung said its battery location is suitable due to its proximity to transmission lines.

The company said it consulted with the CFA on fire safety features.

James Faithful has vowed to fight the battery developers.

But Mr Faithful said he and his neighbors are not convinced batteries are a good use of farmland.

He said, 'I think we're trying to make it clear that there are better areas.'

ABC Gippsland — local news in your inbox

Mon 25 May 2026 at 7:18am

Promotion

Top Stories

LIVE

Topic: Political Parties

Analysis by Laura Tingle

Topic: Activism

Top Stories

LIVE

Topic: Political Parties

Analysis by Laura Tingle

Topic: Activism

Just In

Topic: Air Incidents

Mon 25 May 2026 at 12:08pm

Topic: Language

Mon 25 May 2026 at 11:09am

Topic: Political Parties

Mon 25 May 2026 at 11:14am

Topic: Royal Commissions

Mon 25 May 2026 at 12:09pm