Construction of Queensland’s largest battery storage project is approaching the halfway mark. The initiative, led by the state-owned Stanwell Corporation, involves the installation of a 300 MW, 1,200 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery at the Stanwell coal-fired power station in Rockhampton. This ambitious project required the transportation of 324 Tesla Megapacks, each weighing 38 tonnes and measuring over eight meters in length, from the Port of Brisbane—a distance of approximately 650 kilometers.
Over the past few months, up to ten Tesla Megapacks were delivered daily, marking a significant logistical achievement for the project team. Angie Zahra, Stanwell’s General Manager of Central Generation, expressed pride in the project’s progress. “The arrival and installation of the final Megapack at the Stanwell Battery site was a proud moment for the project team,” she stated.
Next Steps in Construction
With the Megapacks now on-site, the focus shifts to connecting them to medium-voltage transformers. This phase will also include laying high-voltage underground conduits and feeder cables, as well as preparing for the second switch room’s arrival. Currently, the largest operating battery in Queensland is the 540 MW, 1,080 MWh Western Downs battery, recently expanded by Neoen. There are plans for the Quinbrook Supernode battery, located on the outskirts of Brisbane, which has the potential to surpass this with a storage capacity of up to 3,000 MWh.
CEO Michael O’Rourke emphasized the importance of large-scale storage projects for the energy sector. “By investing in these projects, we’re creating a more resilient energy system and positioning ourselves to meet the needs of customers and the National Electricity Market for decades to come,” he explained. O’Rourke highlighted that batteries offer reliable, dispatchable energy, which is essential for a diversifying energy system.
Local Impact and Job Creation
Stanwell anticipates that the battery system will begin commercial operations in May 2027. At that time, it is projected to operate a battery firming portfolio of 2.8 gigawatt-hours (GWh). The construction phase has already generated local economic benefits. Initially expected to create around 80 jobs, the project has employed up to 115 people on-site, many of whom are from the local community. Zahra noted, “It’s created jobs and supported local businesses—a great example of how important infrastructure projects can benefit regional communities.”
As the project progresses, the emphasis remains on building a sustainable and reliable energy future for Queensland. The Stanwell Battery initiative not only aims to enhance the state’s energy storage capabilities but also serves as a critical investment in the region’s economic development and energy resilience. For those interested in the latest developments in clean energy, Stanwell encourages subscriptions to their daily newsletter, which has garnered over 26,000 subscribers.
