Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) and its wholly owned subsidiary VSUN Energy will submit an expression of interest (EoI) to develop Western Australia’s proposed 50 MW/10-hour Kalgoorlie Vanadium Battery Energy Storage System (Kalgoorlie VBESS), after the state government formally opened the first stage of the procurement process.

The long-duration energy storage project – backed by a A$150-million state funding commitment – aims to deliver a locally manufactured 500 MWh vanadium flow battery (VFB) by 2029 under a build–own–operate model. It forms part of Western Australia’s broader strategy to bolster energy security in the goldfields, accelerate development of a domestic vanadium supply chain and support skilled job creation linked to the State’s globally significant vanadium resources.

AVL said its EoI submission will draw on the company’s “pit-to-battery” integrated capability, spanning mining, processing, vanadium electrolyte production and VFB deployment, and will be prepared in collaboration with leading energy-sector partners to maximise sovereign capability and local content.

“The opening of the EoI process marks an important milestone for Western Australia’s ambition to establish a sovereign long-duration energy storage solution leveraging the state’s developing vanadium industry," said CEO Graham Arvidson. 

"AVL and its wholly owned subsidiary, VSUN Energy, welcome the opportunity to participate and to put forward a strong proposal that reflects the capability we have built across mining, processing, vanadium electrolyte production and VFB deployment. Pleasingly, the EoI affirms the state government’s key objectives for the Kalgoorlie VBESS include establishment of a local upstream supply chain,” he said.

Arvidson added that AVL was working with partners to demonstrate the benefits of an Australian-made VFB solution.

“We are engaging closely with industry partners to demonstrate how an Australian-made vanadium battery solution can support energy security, regional development and the state’s broader decarbonisation objectives. AVL is well advanced in working with a range of stakeholders across battery equipment manufacturers and finance providers to deliver a response that maximises local content, enhances the economic proposition of VFB solutions and positions AVL to be able to deliver this important project.

“The successful deployment of VFBs in the Australian market is expected to provide AVL with an opportunity for offtake of its planned production of vanadium oxides from the Australian vanadium project and vanadium electrolyte from its electrolyte manufacturing capability, as part of the company’s vertically integrated ‘pit-to-battery’ strategy.”

Stage 1 of the Kalgoorlie VBESS EoI process closes on January 30, 2026, with shortlisted proponents to advance to Stage 2 in early to mid-2026. The preferred developer is expected to be selected as early as July 2026, unlocking access to the state’s funding package.