Origin Energy, an energy company based in Australia, has announced intentions to construct a potentially large battery energy storage system (BESS) in Queensland.
This is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its renewable energy generation and storage capabilities.
Origin Energy has presented an environmental report to the Australian federal government for the construction of a new 500 MW/2,000 MWh BESS near Kogan, approximately 40 km west of Dalby, Queensland.
The BESS will be situated on land adjacent to Origin Energy’s existing 630 MW Darling Downs power station, which is the largest combined cycle gas-fired power plant in Australia.
Origin Energy has confirmed that it has obtained approval from the Western Downs Regional Council for the development and installation of the battery at the site.
A 275 kV transmission line will link the system to the grid through the nearby Braemar substation.
The battery will utilize lithium-ion technology and will have a storage capacity of up to four hours, which can be dispatched over variable durations.
The company’s objective is to “construct and operate the BESS to enhance Queensland’s system strength and storage assets, providing security to Queensland’s energy supply.
The battery at Darling Downs will be charged via the existing grid connection during periods of abundant renewable energy and dispatched during peak demand times.”
Construction is scheduled to commence in mid-2025, with an estimated duration of up to 24 months for completion. Subject to approvals, Origin Energy plans to initiate a tender process to identify a suitably qualified contractor for the supply and installation of the battery.
If constructed, the battery will become the largest in Queensland, surpassing the 300 MW/1,200 MWh facility to be constructed by state-owned energy company Stanwell near the Tarong coal-fired power station, approximately 100 km northeast of Dalby.
It would also exceed the size of the state’s two currently operational batteries: Vena Energy’s 100 MW/150 MWh Wandoan South project on the Western Downs and Genex’s 50 MW/100 MWh Bouldercombe battery near Rockhampton, central Queensland.
The addition of the Darling Downs battery expands Origin Energy’s battery energy storage portfolio, as it aims to grow its renewables and storage portfolio to 4 GW by 2030.
The company is also advancing plans to construct a 700 MW/2,800 MWh battery at the location of its coal-fired Eraring power station in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.
Additionally, it has initiated the construction of a 300 MW/650 MWh project next to the gas-fired power station in Mortlake, Victoria.
Source Origin Energy
