Stanwell and Quinbrook have strengthened their growing partnership with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that grants Stanwell exclusivity over the proposed Gladstone State Development Area (GSDA) Energy Hub Project.
The announcement builds on the recent MoU between the two companies to demonstrate Australia’s first ever eight hour EnerQB Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Stanwell Power Station.
The dual agreements aim to accelerate large-scale firming solutions and integrate next-generation storage technologies into Queensland’s evolving energy system.
Quinbrook intends for the EnerQB BESS demonstration to become an integral component of the broader GSDA Energy Hub Project, as a multi-technology firming and grid-resilience precinct.
Under Quinbrook’s proposal, developed in partnership with its affiliate Private Energy Partners, the GSDA Energy Hub will be delivered in stages and incorporate up to 1,080 megawatts (MW) of open-cycle gas turbines. These turbines will be equipped with integrated synchronous condenser capabilities, complemented by 780 MW of eight hour duration BESS.
The combination of flexible gas generation, long-duration batteries and synchronous condensers operating in technical unison represents a first-of-its-kind configuration for the National Electricity Market. The project is designed to deliver dispatchable power during periods of high demand, unexpected system outages or low renewable output to support reliability and continuity for the region’s heavy industries.
Michael O’Rourke, Chief Executive Officer at Stanwell, sheds light on the organisation’s commitment to Queensland’s growing energy needs.
“As Queensland’s electricity demand increases, our collaboration with Quinbrook positions Stanwell to deliver to Queenslanders affordable and reliable energy for years to come,” he said.
“The proposed GSDA Energy Hub Project will combine gas power generation and 8-hour battery storage through a novel configuration in a strategic location that supports Queensland’s critical heavy industries.”
“This agreement provides Stanwell with exclusivity to negotiate commercial arrangements to facilitate the GSDA Energy Hub Project. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Quinbrook as the innovative GSDA Energy Hub Project and the eight hour EnerQB battery pilot continue to progress.”
Brian Restall, Chief Executive Officer at Quinbrook, said the partnership is about shared ambition to deliver resilient, market-leading clean energy infrastructure.
“Quinbrook retains high conviction that Queensland remains a very attractive place to invest in the energy transition – especially with innovative projects that directly support decarbonisation of the grid and in turn, the industries that depend on resilient power supply infrastructure,” Restall said.
“Our pioneering EnerQB long-duration storage solution combined with the ultra-long backup of open-cycle gas turbines, and the grid stability services offered by synchronous condensers, marks another pioneering development by Quinbrook. It is a truly innovative contribution directly supporting Queensland’s energy transition and the Queensland Government’s Energy Plan.”
