Two high-voltage transformers have rolled through the gates at Stanwell Power Station as construction continues at the Stanwell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
These massive transformers, weighing in at 118 tonnes each, made an epic journey of over 2,000km from Melbourne, escorted by police, pilot vehicles, and support trucks.
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Transformers are critical components for Stanwell BESS, which can discharge 300MW of energy into the National Electricity Market for up to four hours.
Stanwell manager central generation Angie Zahra said the arrival of the transformers signified that the project was charging ahead, on schedule.
“The BESS site has been buzzing with activity for months with Yurika, supported by a number of local contractors, carrying out earthworks, drainage, and the pouring of concrete foundations,” Zahra said.
“These transformers are the first bit of big equipment to arrive on site and the first of the 324 Tesla Megapack units will begin arriving in mid-2025.”
Stanwell BESS is due to begin operation in May 2027.
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Large-scale batteries like Stanwell BESS are charged when large generation volumes are available and discharged when demand is high, responding within fractions of a second.
They will play an important role in helping to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy as we shift to renewables.
