Lightsource bp has commenced construction on its Woolooga Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Gympie in Queensland.
The Woolooga BESS, to be co-located with the Woolooga Solar Farm, will consist of 128 battery units, capable of storing up to 640MWh of energy with an export capacity of 222MW.
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It will store excess energy generated during off-peak times and release it during peak demand, providing flexible power and grid stabilising services to support renewables and improve energy reliability. Hithium will supply of 640MWh of energy storage capacity to the project, and will partner with INTEC Energy Solutions to deliver the project’s operation and maintenance services.
The battery is expected to be operational by mid-2026.
Lightsource bp chief operating officer Adam Pegg said, “Australia is perfectly positioned to deliver on its energy transition, with abundant renewable resources that not only meet domestic needs but also offer significant potential for energy exports. While there’s ongoing debate about the role of nuclear, the reality is that we have solutions today for firmed renewables—wind and solar backed by batteries—which are already proving to be the most cost-effective and reliable energy solution.
“These projects set a new benchmark for how we approach all future developments, demonstrating how market-driven innovation can deliver cost-effective solutions that meet growing energy demands. By embracing firmed renewables, we can build a modern energy grid that is cleaner, more resilient, and capable of powering the nation’s growth, driving both economic progress and sustainable development in a rapidly changing world.”
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Since its entry into the country in 2018, Lightsource bp has developed and financed more than 1.2GW and continues to progress its solar and battery storage portfolio of more than 7.5GW across Australia and New Zealand, and is exploring other investment opportunities in the sector, including wind, battery storage, and integration with green hydrogen production.
