UGL to build stage two of Western Downs Battery

UGL, a member of CIMIC Group, has been appointed to design and construct stage two of the Western Downs Battery in Queensland for Neoen.

A 270MW/540MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and high voltage infrastructure will be installed and connected to the grid at Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub.

The BESS will consist of 140 Tesla megapack 2XL units and is expected to begin operations in 2026.

UGL is also constructing stage one of the Western Downs Battery, which is expected to start operations later this year.

UGL managing director Doug Moss commented on the work.

“We [UGL] have an excellent relationship with Neoen, one of the world’s leading clean energy producers, as well as with Tesla, and we’re pleased to combine again on our fifth BESS installation with them,” he said.

CIMIC executive chairman Juan Santamaria echoed Mr Moss’ comments.

“With greater capacity, Western Downs Battery will have an even more crucial role in Queensland’s rapidly accelerating energy transition, as the state strives to reach 80% renewable energy by 2035,” he said.

“We’re excited to further contribute to what will be Queensland’s most powerful battery and the Queensland SuperGrid via the second stage of works.”

Following construction, both batteries will work alongside Neoen’s 460MWp Western Downs solar farm at the same site and allow stored energy to be transmitter into the electricity network.