Allens has advised Aware Super on its investment in the Baranduda Electrical Energy Reserve, a 400 MW / 1.86 GWh battery being developed by Birdwood Energy in Wodonga, Victoria.
Allens has advised Aware Super on its investment in the Baranduda Electrical Energy Reserve, a 400 MW / 1.86 GWh battery being developed by Birdwood Energy in Wodonga, Victoria.
Construction is expected to begin in November 2026 and the Baranduda project is expected to be operational in late 2028. The standalone battery will have a storage duration of 4.65 hours and will be capable of storing enough energy to power more than 200,000 Victorian homes through the evening peak.
The Baranduda project forms part of the Birdwood Energy Storage and Transition (BEST) platform, a joint venture between Aware Super and Birdwood.
Partner Chris Blane said: ‘The Baranduda project is an important investment in the infrastructure needed to support Australia’s energy transition. It also shows the growing role institutional investors in providing long-term capital for renewable energy and storage projects.
Partner Tim Stewart said: ‘We are pleased to have advised Aware Super on this milestone investment. The utility-scale transaction shows the appetite for energy transition assets that can support the reliability and resilience of Australia’s electricity system.’
The transaction builds on Allens’ longstanding relationship with Aware Super, including advising on its initial investment into the Birdwood Distributed Energy Platform and on the sale of its 50% interest in SERV announced earlier this month.
It also reflects the continuing role of institutional capital in funding renewable energy and infrastructure assets.
Allens also advised the lenders of the project financing of the Baranduda Electrical Energy Reserve project.
