Queensland’s state-owned transmission company Powerlink has kicked off the federal approvals process for for a new 500 MW, 2,000 MWh battery project proposal from AGL Energy, the country’s biggest coal generation company.
The Tuckaroo battery project, south of Chinchilla in the Western Downs region of Queensland, is one of a number of big battery projects being considered by AGL, and follows its recent commitment to another 500 MW, 2,000 MWh battery near the Tomago smelter in NSW.
The battery connection project involve a 275 kilovolt (kV) underground transmission line that would run approximately 1.8 kilometres from the proposed Tuckeroo Battery facility to the existing Western Downs Substation, which is owned and operated by Powerlink.
Powerlink secured development approval for the Tuckeroo BESS Connection Project a month ago from the Western Downs Regional Council.
According to a recent update from AGL Energy, early investigations are underway for the project, having also already received development approval from the Western Downs Regional Council. Early investigations include geotechnical testing and engagement with the traditional owners of the land.
If the battery project gets the eventual go-ahead, AGL expects construction to provide up to 200 jobs, as well as 6 full time operational jobs.
