Queensland's state-owned gentailer Stanwell has started commercial operations for its 300 MW / 600 MWh Tarong battery energy storage system, located near the Tarong coal-fired power station. The project, built with 164 Tesla Megapack 2XL units, began construction in 2023 and now supplies the National Electricity Market. Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke highlighted its role in delivering reliable energy.
The Tarong battery energy storage system (BESS), co-located with the Tarong coal-fired power station 190 kilometres northwest of Brisbane, marks Stanwell's first wholly-owned battery project. Valued at $514 million (USD 363 million), the 2-hour dispatchable facility utilises 164 Tesla Megapack 2XL lithium-ion units, each weighing approximately 38 tonnes. Installation was completed by state-owned renewable energy services company Yurika.
Construction on the project started in 2023, and it has now entered commercial operation, providing energy to the National Electricity Market (NEM). Stanwell Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Rourke stated that the project was delivered end-to-end by the company's team. “Stanwell’s deep experience operating and maintaining reliable coal-fired power stations is powering a broader vision, to build a more flexible and reliable energy portfolio to meet Queensland’s growing energy needs,” O’Rourke said.
He added, “This means we can continue to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Queensland, our customers and the NEM.”
The Tarong BESS is part of Stanwell’s larger 2.8 GWh battery firming portfolio. This includes the 300 MW / 1,200 MWh Stanwell Battery near Rockhampton, which uses 324 Tesla Megapack 2XL units. Additionally, Stanwell has a capacity purchase agreement for 100% of the stored energy from Quinbrook’s Supernode Stage 3 BESS at Brendale, and an agreement to purchase energy from the 200 MW Blue Grass solar farm near Chinchilla, 290 kilometres northwest of Brisbane.