VSUN Energy and Sumitomo Electric Industries partner for Kalgoorlie vanadium battery project bid
By Global Infrastructure Sherpa · Feb 23, 2026
Kalgoorlie VBESS project
Project
VSUN Energy will partner with Sumitomo Electric Industries in its bid to develop Western Australia’s planned 50 MW / 500 MWh Kalgoorlie vanadium battery project. The pre-bid agreement establishes Sumitomo as the exclusive vanadium flow battery (VFB) technology provider for the project through the expression of interest (EOI) and bidding process for the Kalgoorlie project.
Deal Analysis
VSUN Energy's partnership with Sumitomo Electric Industries to bid for the 50 MW / 500 MWh Kalgoorlie vanadium battery project in Western Australia represents a significant step towards developing large-scale energy storage solutions in the region. The pre-bid agreement designates Sumitomo as the exclusive vanadium flow battery (VFB) technology provider, positioning them favorably in the competitive bidding process. This collaboration leverages VSUN Energy's local development expertise with Sumitomo's established VFB technology, potentially creating a strong contender for the project.
The deal is notable for its focus on vanadium flow battery technology, a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale storage due to its long lifespan and non-flammability. The project's 500 MWh capacity underscores the ambition to provide substantial energy storage capacity to the grid. While the financial details remain undisclosed, the involvement of Sumitomo Electric Industries, a global company with extensive experience in power infrastructure, lends credibility to the project and suggests a commitment to delivering a robust and reliable energy storage solution.
- Partnership between VSUN Energy and Sumitomo Electric Industries for a 50 MW / 500 MWh vanadium battery project.
- Sumitomo Electric Industries is the exclusive vanadium flow battery (VFB) technology provider.
- Project located in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
- Focus on vanadium flow battery technology, a growing segment in grid-scale energy storage.
Market Context: The energy storage market, particularly for grid-scale applications, is experiencing rapid growth driven by the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources and the need for grid stabilization. Australia, with its abundant renewable resources and vast grid infrastructure, presents a significant opportunity for energy storage deployments.
Source Intelligence
KEY DETAILS
The project seeks to deliver a locally manufactured 10-hour-long duration vanadium flow battery. "The pre-bid agreement establishes Sumitomo as the exclusive vanadium flow battery (VFB) technology provider for the project through the expression of interest (EOI) and bidding process for the Kalgoorlie project."
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Deal Size
that is backed by $150 million (USD 106 million) in state funding
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Capacity
50 MW / 500 MWh Kalgoorlie vanadium battery energy storage system (VBESS) project
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Location
Western Australia’s planned 500 MWh Kalgoorlie vanadium battery project.
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Announcement
February 23, 2026
PARTIES MENTIONED IN SOURCE
V
VSUN Energy
developer
"VSUN Energy will partner with Japanese manufacturer Sumitomo Electric Industries in its bid to develop Western Australia’s planned 500 MWh Kalgoorlie vanadium battery project."
S
Sumitomo Electric Industries
technology provider
"VSUN Energy will partner with Japanese manufacturer Sumitomo Electric Industries in its bid to develop Western Australia’s planned 500 MWh Kalgoorlie vanadium battery project."
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Australian Vanadium Limited
developer
"Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) announced that subsidiary VSUN Energy has signed a pre-bid agreement with Sumitomo Electric Industries for the Western Australian government’s proposed 50 MW / 500 MWh Kalgoorlie vanadium battery energy storage system (VBESS) project."
high quality
Enriched Feb 23, 2026
Market Context
This deal is part of the Battery Storage sector in Australia.
1 of 84 Battery Storage deals tracked this month · Updated daily