Image: Queensland Government
Summary:
Tesla has partnered with Queensland’s publicly-owned CS Energy to construct one of the state’s largest batteries for renewable energy storage and grid strengthening in Australia.
The $150 million Chinchilla Battery Project, which is nearing completion, features 80 Tesla Megapack units, offering a 100 MW / 200 MWh capacity.
The project is part of the Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub, which supports the Palaszczuk Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, aiming for 70% renewable energy by 2032. The Chinchilla Battery will store wind and solar energy generated throughout the day for distribution to Queensland households during peak evening periods, providing 100 MW of electricity, enough to power 30,000 homes for two hours.
Treasurer and Minister for Investment, Cameron Dick, highlighted the importance of the project, saying, “The Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub helps deliver on the commitment contained in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.” He added, “Across Queensland, renewable energy projects like this are supporting more skilled jobs in regional communities.”
Minister for Energy, Renewables, and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, emphasized the project’s role in transforming Queensland’s energy landscape: “These clean energy hubs are a key element of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, diversifying the generation technology at our publicly-owned coal-fired sites and enabling local communities and workers to be partners in the energy transformation.”
“The Chinchilla Battery will support CS Energy’s strategy to build a more diverse energy portfolio to meet our customers’ requirements and support Queensland’s future energy needs,” said CS Energy Acting CEO Andrew Varvari in a statement. He also noted the battery’s ability to charge during the day when there is a surplus of solar energy and release it back into the grid when needed most.
The project is expected to be operational in late 2023 after testing and commissioning later this year. The Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub has already generated an economic boost for regional Queensland, with construction contractor Downer spending over $3 million on local suppliers and subcontractors in the Western Downs.
The Genex battery project, also in Queensland, received 40 Tesla Megapacks back in March.
