Giant battery project puts solar component on ice as it focuses on grid stability

A proposed 2,000 megawatt hour battery project – one of a number now proposed for the Sunshine state – has put its solar component on ice because it sees more value in focusing on providing grid security and reliability.

The Burdekin battery project, around five kilometres south of the operating Clare solar farm, could be sized at up to 500 MW and 2,000 MWh. It originally proposed a solar farm, possibly backed up by a battery but has now flipped the focus on a big battery, with an optional solar component some time in the future.

Proponents Ace Power and Japan’s Osaka Gas say development of this project started in 2015, and it received approval from Burdekin Shire Council for the development of a solar farm with an “indicative area” marked for potential future battery storage.

“A change application was recently submitted to Burdekin Shire Council to reflect the fact that the Project is now primarily a standalone BESS and the solar component of the project is separate and optional in the future,” the proponents say in their application for federal approval under the EPBC process.

The EPBC application covers only the battery, along with a new substation and a 1.4 kms link to the nearby transmission line, and does not include any solar components.

“The Project will assist with storing excess renewable energy during the day and discharging that energy into evening peak demands,” the application states.

“Due to the nature of its operation, the Project will also assist with grid reliability and network frequency and voltage stabilisation.”

The project is to be built on farmland, mostly used for grazing, and near sugarcane plantations. Ace Power bought the project in 2021 and is now seeking to develop it in partnership with Osaka Gas.

Ace Power is developing a number of battery storage, solar, wind and hybrid projects across Australia, including the Nebo, Townsville, Raglan and Yabulu battery projects in Queensland.