Akaysha Energy has announced that Phase 1 of its Ulinda Park Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is now operational and trading in the National Electricity Market (NEM). As part of Queensland’s energy transition, the project is providing both energy and Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS), supporting grid reliability as more variable renewable generation connects to the network.
The 155 megawatt (MW) / 298 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery is located in the Western Downs region and connects at Powerlink’s Western Downs 275 kilovolt (kV) Terminal Station near Hopeland and Chinchilla.
Positioned adjacent to existing high-voltage infrastructure originally built to support conventional generation, Ulinda Park repurposes this transmission hub to firm local solar and wind output, reduce curtailment and deliver fast frequency response during periods of system stress.
Now actively trading in both energy and FCAS markets, Ulinda Park provides millisecond-fast response to help stabilise frequency and balance supply and demand.
By shifting low-cost daytime renewable energy into evening peak periods, the battery also plays a role in dampening price spikes, easing volatility that can otherwise flow through to retailers, large energy users, households and small businesses.
At peak demand, the battery can store enough energy to power the equivalent of around 400,000 homes for one hour. Beyond system benefits, the project has delivered local economic value, creating dozens of jobs during construction and supporting ongoing skilled roles in operations and maintenance.
Ulinda Park’s revenue stack is underpinned by a 10-year battery revenue swap with Re2, a leading climate risk transfer platform. The arrangement balances contracted and merchant exposure, while preserving operational flexibility for Akaysha Energy to optimise bidding strategies across energy and FCAS markets.
Nick Carter, Chief Executive Officer at Akaysha Energy, explains how the project reaching commercial operation reflects the important role of large-scale storage in Australia’s power system.
“With Ulinda Park up and running, and the Capacity-Investment-Scheme-backed expansion progressing, we’re turning the Western Downs into a major storage hub. That means a steadier grid for Queenslanders and new tools for retailers and big energy users to manage risk and keep energy costs under control,” he said.
He added that the achievement was made possible through close collaboration with project partners Consolidated Power Projects, Hitachi Energy, Wilson Transformer Company and Re2.
Looking ahead, Akaysha Energy is progressing the Ulinda Park Expansion after recently securing a Capacity Investment Scheme contract. The expansion, at approximately 195MW / 780MWh, will lift the site’s total capacity to around 350MW and 1,078MWh.