300 MW / 1,200 MWh battery project now under construction in Queensland, Australia

In the Australian state of Queensland, the state government-owned energy generator Stanwell said bulk earthworks have begun for the 300 MW capacity, four-hour duration Stanwell mega battery energy storage system (BESS). The project is being constructed within the Stanwell Power Station precinct around 22km from Rockhampton, in the north of Australia.

Stanwell said the $492.5 million (AUD$747 million) battery project signals the start of the site’s transformation into a green energy hub and forms part of the state-owned generation company’s goal to have 5 GW of energy storage online by 2035.

The second Stanwell mega battery will include 324 lithium-ion Tesla Megapack 2XL units with state government-owned utility company Yurika contracted to install them. The system is expected to commence operations in mid-2027.

The first of Stanwell’s dispatchable energy storage projects, the 300 MW / 600 MWh Tarong BESS being built in southeast Queensland, is due to commence operations in mid-2025.

Stanwell said construction of the system, occurring adjacent to the coal-fired Tarong Power Station has reached the halfway mark with all 164 Tesla Megapack battery units in place and work now underway to connect them to the transformers.

Stanwell Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Rourke said both batteries will be critical to support renewable penetration.

“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,” he said.

“They are a key piece of our commitment to achieving 5 GW of energy storage by 2035 and highlights Stanwell’s vision for a sustainable and innovative energy future.”

In a statement, Stanwell said its portfolio includes more than 3 GW of renewable energy under contract, in construction or development.