Crisafulli Government backs energy reliability through innovative storage solutions

• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future with affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Queenslanders.
• Stanwell to trial Quinbrook’s pioneering 8-hour battery storage solutions to strengthen energy reliability in Queensland.
• Construction mid-point milestone reached for Stanwell’s existing 1200MWh battery project. 
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start, with Central Queensland positioned to be energy powerhouse with coal, storage and renewables. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future with affordable, reliable and sustainable power, announcing progress on a major battery project and a new project trialling innovative energy storage solution in Central Queensland. 

Government owned corporation Stanwell has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners to position Stanwell Power Station as a hub for battery innovation.  

The Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates the Crisafulli Government’s support for private sector investment in critical storage technologies needed in Queensland to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Queenslanders. 

The former Labor Government’s energy plan lacked credibility, was undeliverable and would have meant Queensland households paying thousands more on their energy bills.   

After a decade of Labor’s ideological energy policy, the Crisafulli Government’s Energy Roadmap is based on economics and engineering to put downward pressure on energy prices, and includes extended coal generation, more low-cost energy production in wind and solar and more dispatchable supply including gas turbines, pumped hydro and batteries for firming and storage.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Stanwell and Quinbrook will pilot one of the world’s first 8-hour duration battery systems at the Stanwell coal-fired power station site near Rockhampton. 

Unlike conventional big batteries which offer up to 4-hour duration, the EnerQB battery is designed specifically for 8-hour operation, offering transformative potential for firming renewable energy and supporting industrial growth. 

Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said batteries for firming and storage would play a key role, alongside coal and renewables, in Queensland’s future energy mix.  

“Our Energy Roadmap is a pragmatic and realistic plan to improve the energy assets we’ve got to put downward pressure on energy prices while we build what we need for the future,” Treasurer Janetzki said. 

“In an increasingly variable energy system, storage capacity is required to shift energy from when it is produced to when it is required and to manage demand peaks and troughs. 

“Investing in firming and storage solutions helps to strengthen energy reliability and put downward pressure on power prices. 

“By supporting large-scale storage projects, we’re creating a more resilient energy system and positioning ourselves to meet the needs of Queenslanders for decades to come.” 

The announcement comes as Stanwell’s existing battery project, the Stanwell Battery Energy Storage System, recently reached the construction halfway milestone with the final Tesla Megapack units delivered and installed at the Stanwell Power Station site.