Stage 1 of $2.5bn 'Supernode' project to begin construction following financial close

Specialist global investment manager Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has announced that it has reached financial close for the first stage of the 2GW ‘Supernode’ project in Queensland and construction is due to commence. 

Stage One of the ‘Supernode’ development is valued at approximately $325 million and it is being delivered as part of a $2.5 billion data centre and battery energy storage system integrated facility to be established in south-east Queensland. 

The first stage will involve the construction of a 250MW/2hr Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a site adjacent to the South Pine substation in Brendale. 

The project will utilise battery cells from a globally leading battery manufacturer and paired with inverters supplied and integrated by GE Vernova. 

“The successful close of ‘Supernode’ Stage One is significant for Queensland as it delivers valuable large-scale storage at the best possible location in the State’s power grid. 

“The South Pine site is a unique and strategic location offering unparalleled power supply access and redundancy and is testament to Quinbrook’s ability to source, fund and develop innovative projects for the benefit of our investors and provide tangible solutions to decarbonise power systems,” Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners Co-Founder David Scaysbrook said. 

“Quinbrook’s battery storage system will be one of the largest installations in Australia, bringing economic benefits and offering greater energy security to Queenslanders. 

“I look forward to seeing the project grow and benefit from Brendale’s already strong business ecosystem and smart city infrastructure,” Moreton Bay City Council Mayor Peter Flannery said. 

Stage One of the ‘Supernode’ project is due to be completed in the second half of 2025. 

Once completed, the BESS will enable efficient storage of surplus wind and solar energy, aid the displacement of coal and other emissions-intensive generation sources as well as provide grid support at the central node of the State’s high voltage transmission network. 

A data storage facility is also planned to be built on site following the completion of Stage One. 

In addition to reaching financial close, Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has also announced that it has signed an offtake agreement with Origin Energy, committing to the full capacity of Stage One. 

The ‘Supernode’ BESS is set to become one of Queensland’s largest battery storage facilities. 

“The construction of Stage One, here in Brendale, is more evidence that business believes in our vision. 

“Renewable energy generation and storage like this will power us towards our 70 per cent renewable energy targets. 

“Responsible emissions targets are essential to jobs in our existing industries like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing and it’s the key to creating more jobs in the new industries of the future, here in the south east and right across Queensland. 

“We know we have the connection with the world to support new data centres, like the one that will be built here, creating high value jobs, that can be powered by renewable energy,” Premier Steven Miles said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners (1, 2); PV Magazine Australia; Renewables Now; Renewable Energy Magazine; Infrastructure Magazine