Vena Energy Australia has achieved financial close for Queensland’s biggest battery energy storage system (BESS), capable of discharging up to 100 megawatts (MW) and storing 150 megawatt hours of energy, equivalent to powering up to 57,000 Australian homes.

Construction of the $120 million Wandoan South BESS started in October, after awarding the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract to Doosan GridTech Australia. This follows the 15-year deal signed by Australian energy generator and retailer AGL for full operational dispatch rights for what will be Queensland’s biggest battery, and the second largest in Australia.

“We are delighted to be delivering the first stage of Vena Energy’s Wandoan South Project in the Western Downs region of south-west Queensland. The Wandoan South BESS represents the first milestone of Vena Energy’s overarching Wandoan South Project, approved to generate up to 650 MW of solar electricity, and 450 MW of energy storage across several stages.

“We look forward to participating in the transition towards renewable energy in Queensland by delivering the Wandoan South BESS in the heart of the Western Downs. The BESS represents a step change in Queensland’s transition to a cleaner energy future and will lead the way for more investment in Queensland’s adoption of renewable energy.”

Anil Nangia, head of Vena Energy Australia.

“The controller is the intelligence of the BESS system, allowing for the coordination of complex schedules and operating modes within the facility’s system platform.”

Doosan GridTech Australia general manager, Adrian Marziano.

“As part of our agreement, AGL will have full operational dispatch rights once it begins operating in 2021, providing critical support to our growing portfolio of energy storage assets.

“Grid-scale batteries like Wandoan South BESS allow AGL to leverage excess solar and wind generation in Queensland while providing capacity when renewable sources are not generating.”

AGL COO, Markus Brokhof.

In Australia, Vena Energy is progressing over 2.5 gigawatts of renewable energy projects across the country. The Wandoan South BESS will be the first construction milestone of the Wandoan South Project.