Major construction has begun on Queensland’s largest committed battery project – the $747 million Stanwell Battery Energy Storage System near Rockhampton.
The project, regarded as a significant step towards transforming Stanwell and Tarong Power Stations into Clean Energy Hubs, features a 300 megawatts (MW)/1200 megawatt-hour (MWh) energy storage system.
Queensland’s Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni said this battery project was the largest of its kind in Queensland and will create around 80 jobs in construction.
“What batteries deliver to the Queensland SuperGrid is reliable power,” de Brenni said.
“When batteries like this are publicly owned it means Queenslanders themselves benefit, not overseas shareholders.
“We want to ensure we maintain downward pressure on power bills for all Queenslanders by building more renewable energy and storage.”
The partnership between Stanwell, Tesla, and Yurika, will feature 324 lithium-ion Tesla Megapack 2XL units.
This mega battery project recently received a $448.2 million funding boost from the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Job Fund, doubling its capacity.
Additionally, Stanwell’s first dispatchable energy (storage) project, the $514 million Tarong BESS, has reached the halfway mark of construction.
The 300MW/600MWh Tarong BESS project, with two hours of storage, commenced in August 2023 and is expected to be fully operational by mid-2025.
Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said dispatchable energy assets like the Stanwell and Tarong big battery projects were critical as Stanwell transforms its energy system.
“The big batteries will play a crucial role in the energy transformation by stabilising energy supply from clean renewable sources, meaning they’ll be able to be charged by sources like wind and solar and pumped back into the grid during periods of high demand,” O’Rourke said.
“This will ensure affordable and reliable electricity for our commercial and industrial customers in Queensland and the Eastern Seaboard.
“They are a key piece of our commitment to achieving 5GW of energy storage by 2035 and highlights Stanwell’s vision for a sustainable and innovative energy future.”
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