MOUNT BRITTON BESS
MOUNT BRITTON Battery Energy Storage system
Firm Power is proposing to develop a 500MW/2000MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) adjacent to the existing 275kV Nebo Substation along Suttor Developmental Road in Nebo, Queensland. The location is approximately 75 kilometres south-west of Mackay and 6 kilometres north of the Nebo township.
When operational, the Mount Britton BESS will help meet the current and future energy demand needs of Queensland whilst supporting the national energy market transition by:
– Enabling greater amounts of renewable energy to be conveyed to Queensland’s homes and businesses,
– Managing energy peak demand periods without requiring fossil fuel based generation, and
– Offering local electricity grid resilience through stabilisation services such as frequency and voltage control.
The project will generate a range of jobs throughout its construction, procurement, operations and maintenance phases, with indirect impacts extending to local supply chains including accommodation, vehicle servicing, catering and cleaning, tradespersons, tool and equipment suppliers, and many other businesses.
DEVELOPMENT STATUS
The Mount Britton BESS is currently at an early stage of development with land secured, development application lodged and initial phases of grid connection underway. The development phase of the project is expected to be completed in early 2027.
SITE
Approximately 10ha of land has been secured adjacent to the Nebo Substation, accessible via Peak Downs Highway. The land is within a rural zone and requires a Material Change of Use to host the BESS.
PLANNING
Feasibility assessment of the site is underway and once completed a development application for a Material Change of Use will be prepared and submitted to Isaac Regional Council.
As part of its stakeholder engagement, Firm Power intends to consult the community during the development phase.
GRID
As part of the grid strategy, Firm Power will submit a connection application to Powerlink, including system studies and models which cover the performance of the BESS. Following review of the connection application by Powerlink and AEMO it is expected that an offer to connect will be produced followed by a connection agreement.
Construction & Operations
Once all necessary approvals, agreements and authorisations have been obtained, construction activities for the Mount Britton BESS project is able to commence. The construction of the site is expected to take up to 18 months and involves site preparation, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning stages.
Site preparation includes civil works to make it suitable for the BESS equipment, such as earthworks, drainage and foundations. Following this, electrical equipment such as battery module enclosures, inverters, transformers, switchgear and ancillary systems will be delivered to site, installed and ready for energisation. The last step in construction is testing and commissioning, where the BESS installation is validated and made ready for operation.
The BESS will be designed to operate for greater than a 20-year useful life. Site activities will generally involve monitoring, testing and maintenance of equipment as well as receipt of deliveries, waste removal and other general site maintenance (such as care of groundcover). The facility will be monitored and controlled remotely with staff and contractors periodically onsite to perform supporting activities.
At the end of the project life, the site will either be reconditioned or remediated. This involves the removal of all above-ground infrastructure and any works necessary to restore the land to a safe, clean and stable state.
Community
The Mount Britton BESS project will enable a higher penetration of renewable energies and create construction jobs, opportunities for local suppliers and ongoing project roles. Firm Power is interested in talking to members of the community who have an interest in energy storage or who would like to discuss education, provision of services or employment opportunities that may exist in the future.
If you have any questions or concerns about the project, or would just like to discuss the project, you can contact our team directly by filling out the following form or calling 1300 521 328.