Queensland’s state-owned CleanCo has opened expressions of interest (EOI) for net-zero energy generation and storage technologies for its Swanbank Clean Energy Hub.
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CleanCo is on the lookout for innovative, technically and commercially ready clean energy generation and storage technologies with a capacity of up to 400MW, which can include hydrogen use and production opportunities. Additionally, EOIs are sought for technologies that can support the decarbonisation of the Swanbank E combined-cycle gas-fired power station.
These new energy options will complement CleanCo’s proposed plan to install a 250MW/500MWh battery at the Swanbank site. Thanks to a $330 million funding allocation under the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, this battery, with its two-hour storage capacity, is poised to become one of Queensland’s largest when commissioned.
Final Investment Decision on the battery is expected in late 2023. Site works for the battery are anticipated to commence in the first half of 2024 with the battery expected to be operational by mid-2025.
CleanCo is also investigating other energy and non-energy uses for the Swanbank site, including research and development facilities and enhanced community infrastructure.
The project’s draft masterplan is now open for feedback, and can be viewed here.
Related article: Swanbank E to supply power from 2018
The Swanbank site originally hosted two coal-fired power stations and is now home to the 385MW gas-fired Swanbank E power station, which is to be integrated into the new clean energy hub.
