The Queensland Government says a new grid-scale battery at Swanbank in Ipswich has reached a major commissioning milestone, with the facility now able to operate at full capacity to support the State’s electricity network while final regulatory and market approvals are completed.
In a statement, the government said the 250MW/500MWh Swanbank Battery, located at the government-owned CleanCo’s Swanbank Energy Precinct, is one of the largest batteries in Queensland and is designed to strengthen reliability, support peak demand and improve system stability.
It noted that the battery is co-located with the Swanbank E gas-fired power station and will operate alongside existing generation assets.
Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said the milestone reflected the government’s Energy Roadmap and its focus on delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
“This grid-scale battery is exactly the kind of modern infrastructure our Energy Roadmap is designed to deliver, technology that keeps the lights on, supports renewables and strengthens reliability for Queenslanders,” Janetzki said.
He said the project demonstrated how batteries and gas generation can work together during periods of high demand.
“At Swanbank, we can see how batteries and gas generation work together to support system reliability, particularly during peak demand periods,” he said, adding that the approach would help meet Queensland’s future energy needs.
According to the government, the battery has a two-hour storage capacity and can absorb excess electricity when supply is high before dispatching power back into the grid within seconds.
At full output, it is capable of delivering up to 250MW of electricity, which the government says is equivalent to powering about 355,000 homes during peak periods.
CleanCo Chief Executive Officer Tom Metcalfe said the project was a significant addition to the company’s portfolio and to the Ipswich region.
“The Swanbank Battery is a critical addition to CleanCo’s portfolio, providing greater flexibility to supply reliable, lower-emissions energy to our customers when it’s needed most,” Metcalfe said.
Metcalfe said the project highlighted the transition of the Swanbank site over time. “This project reflects the continued evolution of the Swanbank site, from coal to gas-fired stations and now battery storage, reinforcing CleanCo’s role in supporting Queensland’s energy system with dependable, lower-emission firming generation,” he said.
The Queensland Government said CleanCo partnered with Energy Queensland to deliver the project, with battery technology supplied by Tesla.
