Battery blitz grows Queensland’s energy storage capacity

The Palaszczuk Government will invest funds from the 2022 Queensland Budget to ramp up the state’s energy independence by building the largest utility-scale battery as part of another battery blitz to grow Queensland’s energy storage capacity.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said 13 large-scale batteries will be rolled out across the state, including a 400MWh battery at Greenbank – the state’s largest.

“Our state has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar installation in the world," the Treasurer said.

“Large-scale batteries like the one planned for Greenbank allow us to capture the energy generated by Queenslanders, and best use it for Queenslanders.

“These batteries also power progress towards our 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.

“This is an investment in good clean energy jobs, better grid services, and a great lifestyle for the future.”

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said energy storage is the key to unlocking Queensland’s renewable energy revolution and driving down power prices.

“This week’s budget backs nation-building, game-changing pumped hydro storage projects in Kidston and Borumba, but batteries are the form of storage we can get into the network the fastest,” Minister de Brenni said.

“The Greenbank battery will be a game-changer in the way we operate the grid and will be critical for soaking up our sunshine and wind to feed into the system when Queenslanders need it.

“It is part of an innovative partnership between Queensland’s publicly-owned CS Energy and Powerlink, delivering even more reliable, cheaper and cleaner energy for Queenslanders.”

Assistant Minister for Treasury and Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said she was pleased to see this significant energy storage infrastructure being established in Greenbank.

“The Greenbank substation has played an important role in regional energy transmission since 2006 and the new 400MWhr battery will be a vital part of Queensland’s renewable energy revolution,” Ms Mullen said.

Minister de Brenni said the recent national Energy Ministers Meeting produced a clear consensus to address the ongoing global impacts on the energy market.

“That consensus was to deliver more renewables and storage, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” the Minister said.

“Queensland’s publicly-owned power companies are already investing in 430 megawatts of batteries and today’s commitment will grow that capacity to more than 720 megawatts.

“After successfully installing five network-connected batteries between Townsville and Toowomba, Energy Queensland will now deliver a further 12 batteries across the state, each up to 8MWhrs. 

“Coupled with the big battery at Greenbank, it’s a baker’s dozen battery blitz creating 336 local construction jobs.”

Powerlink Chief Executive Paul Simshauser said the battery will support Powerlink’s important role of guiding the energy transformation in Queensland, while continuing to provide safe, cost effective and reliable transmission services.

“We are very pleased to partner with CS Energy, who already play a key role in our energy industry in this state, and now will be helping to drive Queensland’s energy future,” Mr Simshauser said.

CS Energy CEO Andrew Bills said the Greenbank project marked CS Energy’s ongoing diversification into new energy sources, following its announcement of the Chinchilla Battery earlier this year.

“Adding firm, fast-start generation assets to our portfolio will enable us to more effectively respond to changing demand in the National Electricity Market,” Mr Bills said.

Energy Queensland CEO Rod Duke said the increased number of batteries on the Ergon and Energex networks would allow for better management of the ever-increasing levels of renewable energy being generated.

“Having more storage capacity will enable us to move electricity in both space and time and that will lead to greater network stability and reliability for customers,” Mr Duke said.

Powerlink will shortly be contacting landholders close to the Greenbank battery site as details of the project are finalised.

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Brew 0468 839 551