Neoen, one of the world’s leading producers of exclusively renewable energy, has announced the expansion of its Western Downs Battery in Queensland to a total installed capacity of 270 MW / 540 MWh. The expansion will be delivered by Tesla and construction contractor UGL and is expected to start operating in the Australian summer of 2024/25.
The Western Downs Battery is located in Barunggam country near the town of Chinchilla in South West Queensland. It is part of Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub, including Australia’s largest solar farm at 460 MWp capacity. The battery will be connected to the Queensland transmission network via a dedicated high-voltage line.
The expansion of the Western Downs Battery is a significant development for Queensland’s rapidly accelerating energy transition. The battery will play a central role in providing storage and related network services, essential for integrating high levels of renewable energy into the grid.
The battery will store enough energy to power over 200,000 homes for two hours. It will also be able to provide fast-frequency response services, which help to maintain the stability of the electricity grid.
The Western Downs Battery is a major investment in Queensland’s future energy system. It will help to create jobs, boost the local economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
