French renewable energy leader Neoen has unveiled ambitious plans to construct a substantial battery energy storage system in Far North Queensland, a project set to bolster grid stability and support the region's clean energy transition.
A Major Boost for Local Energy Security
The proposed facility, to be built at the site of the existing Kaban Green Power Hub near Ravenshoe, southwest of Cairns, will be a significant piece of infrastructure. It is designed with a capacity of 150 megawatts (MW) and 300 megawatt-hours (MWh). This scale means it could potentially supply enough stored electricity to meet the needs of approximately 15,000 homes in the region for a period of two hours during peak demand.
Neoen Australia's managing director, Louis de Sambucy, emphasised the project's role in firming up renewable energy supply. "This project will help to unlock Queensland's renewable energy potential, support the energy transition and contribute to grid stability in Far North Queensland," he stated. The battery is intended to store excess power generated by the nearby Kaban wind farm and other renewable sources, releasing it when demand is high or supply is low.
Project Timeline and Development Process
The development is currently in its early stages. Neoen has formally submitted a development application to the Tablelands Regional Council, seeking the necessary approvals to proceed. The company anticipates that the construction phase could commence as early as late 2025, pending council and regulatory approvals. If the timeline holds, the battery could be operational and connected to the National Electricity Market (NEM) by the year 2027.
This project represents a further expansion of Neoen's footprint in Queensland, where it is already a major player in renewable energy. The company is notably behind the Western Downs Green Power Hub, a massive solar farm, and is also developing the Bouldercombe Battery Project near Rockhampton. The Far North Queensland battery proposal underscores a growing trend of pairing large-scale renewable generation with substantial storage to create more reliable and dispatchable clean energy.
Implications for Queensland's Energy Future
The initiative aligns with broader state and federal goals to increase renewable energy penetration and enhance grid reliability. Large-scale batteries like the one proposed by Neoen are critical for managing the intermittent nature of solar and wind power, ensuring electricity is available even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.
For the Far North Queensland community, the project promises several potential benefits:
- Improved Grid Stability: Helping to prevent outages and manage voltage fluctuations.
- Support for Renewables: Enabling more wind and solar projects to connect to the grid by providing essential storage.
- Economic Activity: Creating local jobs during the construction phase.
As the development application moves through the council's assessment process, the project will be subject to further scrutiny and community consultation. If approved, it will mark a pivotal investment in the region's energy infrastructure, moving Queensland closer to its renewable energy targets while securing power for thousands of homes and businesses.
