Queensland invests $117.8m in local batteries programme

Stages three and four of the programme will bring Energy Queensland's battery fleet to 29.

The government of the Australian state of Queensland is investing around $117.8m (A$179m) for stages three and four of its local network-connected strategies which will install 12 new batteries.

In a statement, the Queensland government said the programme’s stage three will see 12 new 4-megawatt (MW)/8MW-hour batteries with locations considered including Mooloolaba, Runaway Bay, Cornubia; Jimboomba, Woodridge, Yatala, Barcaldine, Dalby Central, Glenella, Toowoomba, Milchester and Maryborough.

The fourth stage, meanwhile, will include the trial of two flow batteries, with the government looking at Burrum Heads and Ipswich as potential locations.

”We have the highest rate of rooftop solar anywhere in Australia so it's only night that we equip our energy network to keep pace with the high rates of solar generation,” Premie Steven Miles said.

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"This battery program is fundamental to our success in achieving 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030, and Net Zero Emissions by 2050,” he added.

The programme's first stage saw the installation of five network-connected batteries at Bundaber, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Townsville, and Yeppoon.

Currently under construction, the second stage will involve 12 batteries in Cairns (two sites), Townsville, Mackay, Emerald, Mundubbera, Gladstone, Howard, Toowoomba, Raby Bay, Morayfield and Bribie Island in the Brisbane area.

$1 = A$1.52