A new 400MW battery energy storage system in the Western Downs region of Queensland will supply power to more than 100,000 households for four hours during periods of peak demand. The project, known as the Belah BESS, will connect to the Orana substation via an underground transmission line and aims to bolster grid stability while reducing energy wastage from nearby solar farms, including those at Edenvale.
Construction of the Belah BESS is expected to generate 150 jobs during its build phase and sustain five jobs once in operation. Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt emphasised the rapid approval timeline — the project was approved in just 19 days — attributing this to thoughtful site selection. “The project site is good for the environment and for Australia’s energy transition,” Watt stated. “Construction of the Belah BESS can go ahead with minimal environmental impact.”
Since the site is located on previously cleared land, only a small portion of remnant vegetation will need to be removed. “Renewable energy projects like this, which support the delivery of clean, green and affordable power, can and do coexist with Australia’s incredible natural environment,” the Minister added.
The Belah BESS is being developed by independent renewable-energy developer LP Renewable Projects in partnership with Eku Energy. LPRP is also working on the Goombi renewable energy hub — comprising an 800MW wind farm and a 600MW BESS (with TagEnergy) — and a separate energy hub in southern/central Queensland involving 80-100 wind turbines and a utility-scale BESS.
Another major project in Queensland is the 1200MWh Stanwell battery, featuring 324 battery units each 8m long and weighing 38 tonnes. Stanwell is collaborating with Tesla and Yurika to build this battery system, which received funding support in May 2024 via $448.2 million from the Queensland Government’s Queensland Renewable and Hydrogen Job Fund.
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