Neoen appoints UGL to undertake Western Downs Battery expansion

Neoen has announced that it will be expanding its Western Downs Battery project in Queensland to have a total installed capacity of 270MW / 540MWh. 

CIMIC company UGL, along with Tesla, has been appointed to deliver the expansion. 

Earlier this year, UGL was appointed to install Tesla Megapack 2XL units as well as high voltage infrastructure that will connect to Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub as part of initial works. 

“The extended Western Downs Battery will play an important role in transitioning the energy mix in the National Energy Market and will support Queensland’s transition towards 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032. We’re pleased to play a role in delivering a range of essential services to the grid through the Western Downs Battery,” CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said. 

“UGL’s track record in the design, construction and operation of renewables assets is extensive and includes 13 utility scale solar farms and six large-scale battery energy storage systems. Construction works at the Western Downs Battery are underway and we are proud to extend this important work for our client,” UGL Managing Director Doug Moss said. 

The Western Downs Battery project sits on Barunggam country near the town of Chinchilla in South West Queensland. 

The project consists of Tesla Megapack 2XL units and will be leveraging existing infrastructure at the Western Downs Green Power Hub – which includes Australia’s largest solar farm at 460MWp capacity that was recently commissioned. 

Western Downs Battery was initially planned at 200MW / 400MWh. Increasing the total capacity through the expansion will enable the project to play a bigger role in the State’s transition to renewable energy. 

The expansion project will also help cement Neoen’s position as Australia’s leading operator and owner of big batteries. 

“I would like to thank the Neoen Australia team for building Queensland’s most powerful battery. It illustrates once more our commitment to accelerating investment in battery storage, with durations that are capable of delivering a wider range of services and solutions. 

“A leading player in storage, with deep expertise built across many years, Neoen is unlocking the full potential of renewables. We are proud to be making an increasingly valuable contribution to a clean energy future for Australia and the rest of the world,” Neoen Chairman and CEO Xavier Barbaro said. 

Powerlink – Queensland’s transmission network operator – will be undertaking the works to connect the Western Downs Battery to the grid, including the installation of a dedicated high-voltage line into the Western Downs substation. 

“Batteries will continue to play a critical role in the changing generation mix as we work towards a low emissions future. Increasing the capacity of Neoen’s Western Downs Battery to store Queensland’s valuable wind and solar resources will help keep the grid in a secure operating state and offer greater stability to Queenslanders,” Powerlink Queensland CEO Paul Simshauser said. 

The expansion project is also supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) through its Large Scale Battery Storage Funding Round. This support will get the project to be ultimately equipped with grid-forming inverter technology that allows it to provide essential system stability services. 

Western Downs Battery is expected to be operational in the summer of 2024/25. 

Once up and running, Western Downs Battery will have the capability to perform a range of network services such as firming renewables, providing frequency services and transmission network support. 

“We are delighted to be expanding the Westen Downs Battery, demonstrating our willingness to play an increasingly central role in Queensland’s rapid decarbonisation. We would like to thank Tesla, UGL and Powerlink for their hard work and ongoing commitment to delivering this project. We are thrilled to have big batteries operating or under construction in 5 Australian states and territories,” Neoen Australia CEO Louis de Sambucy said. 

Source: Neoen; UGL; PV Magazine Australia; Energy Magazine; Roads & Infrastructure Australia