Large-scale Yabulu renewable battery storage plan could hire 200 people next year

As many as 200 people might find employment next year after a ‘key’ renewable energy project was given the green light. See what’s planned.

The Black Throated Finch is an endangered species, often taken into consideration for major development projects in the region.

A large-scale 200MW/400MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) will begin construction in the New Year after passing final approvals.

The Yabulu BESS project, located about 25km northwest of Townsville on Pope Road in Black River, will connect to the grid via the Yabulu South 132kV substation once constructed across 2023/24.

According to ACE Power, the developers of the site, the project is expected to comprise of 190 construction jobs and 6 - 10 ongoing service jobs as the site receives regular maintenance once the initial build is completed and the technology is brought online.

Once finalised, the station is expected to be able to output 184GWh, the equivalent of 25,000 homes.

Resources Minister and minister for the seat of Townsville Scott Stewart said projects like this one would be essential if renewable energy targets are to be met.

A top down view showing the proposed area of the Yabulu BESS and a neighbouring solar farm.

“I welcome this stage of the approvals process for the battery facility at Yabulu,” Mr Stewart said.

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is about bringing investment into projects like this.

“Batteries have a key role to play in our target of 70% renewable energy by 2032 and projects like this are helping support good jobs in Townsville.

Resource Minister Scott Stewart. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“Townsville and North Queensland is well placed to deliver downstream processing of critical minerals to produce batteries as well so there are great opportunities for the city moving forward.”

‘Critical minerals’ including elements like vanadium — which serves as the primary material for grid-level energy storage batteries — have formed a large part of the state government’s plan to push North Queensland as an area of investment for miners and renewable energy companies alike.

The project was given the green light despite a ‘substantial’ chance of impacts to the endangered Black-throated finch, which has previously been spotted using the adjoining land as a habitat, after an ecological assessment determined that ‘avoidance and mitigation measures’ would ensure ‘minimal’ impacts.

A solar photovoltaic farm, developed by another company with an approximate capacity of 100 MWp, is planned for the same land holding in the future.

Both projects will be connected to the Yabulu South substation once completed, but will operate independently from one another, with the battery system operated by a subsidiary of ACE Power named Yabulu BESS.

Originally published as Large-scale Yabulu renewable battery storage plan could hire 200 people next year