Construction begins on Akaysha’s Brendale Battery

Rendered image of the completed Brendale BESS
Brendale BESS (Image: Akaysha Energy)

Akaysha Energy has kicked off construction at its $200 million Brendale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), one of the largest in Queensland, which will add 205MW/410MWh of storage capacity of the National Electricity Market (NEM).

Commencing commercial operation in 2026, the Brendale BESS is expected to reduce electricity costs and enhance grid stability in line with the Queensland Governmentโ€™s renewable energy targets.

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Located on UnityWaterโ€™s 3.7-acre site next to the South Pine substation, the central node of Queenslandโ€™s electricity grid, the Brendale BESS will feature Tesla Megapack technology while the balance of plant will be delivered by Consolidated Power Projects Australia (CPP).

As one of Queenslandโ€™s largest batteries, the Brendale BESS can store enough energy to power up to 300,000 homes during a blackout, adding significant storage capacity to Queenslandโ€™s electricity network.

Executives from Akaysha and their construction partners turn the first sod with shovels at the Brendale Battery site
Sod turning at the Brendale BESS (Image: Akaysha Energy)

The project will provide energy arbitrage and frequency control ancillary services to support the NEM and facilitate the integration of solar and wind projects by leveraging existing transmission infrastructure in the region.

Akaysha Energy managing director and chief commercial officer Paul Curnow said, โ€œThe Brendale BESS is an important element of Akaysha Energyโ€™s portfolio across not only Queensland but the NEM more broadly.

Related article: Akaysha Energy: Powering Australiaโ€™s renewables transition

โ€œThe Brendale BESS is a crucial step in our mission to rapidly deploy large-scale BESS, enhancing grid stability and energy security while driving the global shift to sustainable energy.

โ€œThe Brendale BESS is one of four projects under development in the state and itโ€™s clear that the Queensland energy sector is serious about the transition.”

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