CIMIC Group company UGL will undertake an expansion of the Western Downs Battery project in Queensland for Neoen, one of the world’s leading producers of exclusively renewable energy. 

The work, to be delivered by UGL and Tesla, will increase the Western Downs Battery installed capacity to 270 MW / 540 MWh.

UGL announced in January it had been appointed to install Tesla Megapack 2XL units and the high voltage infrastructure to connect them to Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub, around 250 kilometres west of Brisbane. Today’s announcement extends UGL’s work at the project.

The expanded battery is located alongside Neoen’s 460 MWp Western Downs solar farm and will enable stored energy to be transmitted into the electricity network from the Australian summer of 2024/2025.

CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said: “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% 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.”

UGL Managing Director Doug Moss 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.”

Louis de Sambucy, Neoen Australia’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to be expanding the Western 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 five Australian states and territories.”