berita perusahaan tentang Australia Proposes 440 MW / 1.76 GWh Battery Storage System in Lilyvale, Queensland

Emerald, Queensland — August 2025 — Acen Australia has lodged a proposal to build a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) dubbed Lilyvale BESS, located in the Central Highlands region of Queensland. The company is seeking federal approval under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) for the project.

Project Overview

• Capacity & Duration: 440 MW power output and 1,760 MWh storage, designed to provide about four hours of discharge during peak demand periods.

• Location: Roughly 52 km northeast of Emerald, on historically grazing land spanning about 151.52 hectares, with an actual disturbance footprint of about 21.15 hectares.
• Technology: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery cells will be used. The plan includes 512 battery containers, 128 inverters, and 128 medium-voltage power stations, plus supporting infrastructure like cable connections, transformers, control rooms, etc.
• Grid Connection: The BESS will connect to the existing Lilyvale Substation, which is adjacent to the project site, minimizing the need for new transmission lines.

Strategic Significance

• The Lilyvale BESS is seen as a critical asset for Queensland’s transition to renewable energy, helping to balance intermittent supply (e.g. solar) with demand during peak hours.

• The project is located in a region with existing coal mining activity (“coal country”), so it also represents part of the shift away from reliance on thermal coal toward cleaner energy infrastructure.
• Advanced elements like grid-forming inverters are expected to support system strength and reliability in the local transmission network.

Challenges & Considerations

• Environmental approvals are pending, and Acen has to address concerns around biodiversity, land use, and impacts to habitats.

• Local and Indigenous community consultation is underway.
• The disturbance footprint, although small relative to the project area, still covers natural/non-remnant vegetation and requires environmental assessment.

Outlook

If approved, Lilyvale BESS would significantly expand large-scale battery storage capacity in Queensland, helping in evening peak load support and lowering wholesale energy price volatility. The timeline suggests early construction could begin after approvals, with operations expected to align with the increasing demand for dispatchable energy.