WA Premier pledges vanadium battery for Kalgoorlie if re‍-‍elected

The Cook Labor Government in Western Australia has announced that, if re-elected, it will provide $150 million for a locally made 50 MW vanadium battery in Kalgoorlie to further reinforce the Goldfields’ energy system.

The battery will be designed to provide 10 hours of back-up electricity storage to provide an additional layer of protection and guard against weather events or other supply disruptions.

Western Australia has one of the world’s largest vanadium deposits being developed south of Meekatharra, with local vanadium supply expected by 2027.

The mineral is expected to play an increasing role in batteries around the world — as it can deliver the kind of long-duration storage needed in systems retiring coal and introducing more renewables.

The vanadium battery is planned to be operational in 2029 and will be located near existing transmission infrastructure, with the final location to be determined in consultation with industry.

A re-elected Cook Labor Government says it will also work with the private sector to create opportunities for local battery manufacturing in Kalgoorlie to create additional ongoing local jobs.

More than 85% of the world’s vanadium supply comes from Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil. Supporting WA’s emerging industry has the potential to create thousands of new mining and local processing jobs, as well as significant export income. The USA, Europe, South Korea and Japan would be potential markets for WA vanadium.

Vanadium offers benefits over conventional lithium batteries, including heat resistance, lifespan, recyclability and no fire risk. It has additional applications in steel production, electronics, fuel cells, superconductors and fertilisers.

“Strengthening and reinforcing the electricity system is my number one priority for the Goldfields,” said Roger Cook, WA Premier. “We have work well underway to replace West Kalgoorlie Power Station by 2026, secured additional gas back-up from the mining industry last year, and invested millions in improvements to the transmission network.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal