Project Overview

The Avenue Rd BESS is a battery energy storage system (BESS) project proposed for the locality of Crossroads, in the Western Downs region of Queensland. The Project is located approximately 19km south of Chinchilla and 22km west of Kogan.

Once operational, the BESS will have a capacity of up to 400MW/1,600MWh, dispatching energy at times of high demand and stabisling the grid.

The footprint utilised host the project infrastructure will be approximately 10-15ha, representing less than 2.5% of the total host property.

The location has been selected for its:

  • Existing, cleared land with limited agricultural opportunities

  • Flat land outside of flooding risk

  • Proximity to the existing Orana Substation

  • Away from nearby private dwellings

  • Low visibility due to site location and presence of vegetation within nearby road reserves

  • Well positioned within a part of the network that already hosts existing solar generation, gas and future wind generation

The project is due to be connected to the existing Orana substation via an underground high-powered transmission line.

Quick overview:

  • Benefit sharing : Avenue Rd BESS is committed to being a good, long-term neighbour and will be releasing a number of local community benefit initiatives over the course of the coming year.

  • Bushfire risk: The BESS has been located in a cleared paddock away from existing vegetation with firebreaks built into the design. The BESS will also include a self contained fire suppression system.

  • Noise: The BESS will generate a low humming sound that is unlikely to be audible from public roads or private dwellings. The BESS is located at least 2 km away from the nearest dwelling and ongoing noise impact assessments are underway to identify opportunities to mitigate further.

  • Visual: The BESS is located on private property and will not be visible from other dwellings or public roads.

About the Project

Based on the Project’s current design, the Project will comprise the following components:

  • 150 Battery units, the size of shipping containers

  • Firebreaks

  • Connecting underground high-voltage transmission to the existing Orana substation

  • Internal access tracks

  • Other typical ancillary infrastructure, including hardstand areas, storage areas, fencing, laydown areas, operational and maintenance facilities and construction compounds.

Region and Opportunities

The Western Downs is known as the “energy capital of Australia” and already hosts a number of projects that generate energy and electricity that is economically critical to the region and to Australia as a whole.

These projects not only generate electricity, but local employment opportunities and stimulate business activity throughout the region.

Avenue Road BESS will co-exist with ongoing agricultural and coal seam gas activities, maximising the utilisation of the land and existing infrastructure.

Avenue Road BESS will create up to 150 jobs during construction and up to 5 jobs during the 20 year operational phase of the project.

As the project progresses through the development process, further details of employment and business opportunities will be made available.

We want to develop a project that is sustainable, efficient, beneficial to the community and supports legislated goals to reduce CO2 emissions.

At a glance

Project status: Early Development

Location: Crossroads locality, intersection of Avenue Rd and Kogan Condamine Rd. 19km south of Chinchilla

Project Status: Early development – Community engagement and environmental studies

Developer : LP Renewable Projects & Eku Energy

Traditional owners: The site sits on the traditional lands of the Barunggam people.

Site area: Project footprint will comprise an area of  up to 15ha, representing less than 2.5% of the host property’s total area

Infrastructure: A BESS (comprising of multiple shipping container sized battery units), connecting transmission line and supporting infrastructure

Installed capacity: up to 400MW/1600MWh of storage, dispatch and grid stabilising capacity

Grid connection: The BESS will connect into the existing Orana substation via a new underground high voltage transmission line

Jobs created during construction: 150 at peak of construction

Jobs created for ongoing operations: Up to 10

Construction commencement date: 2027/2028

Construction period : 18-24 months

Current Status: Undertaking environmental and technical assessments

Project lifespan: 20 years +

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About the Developer

The Avenue Road BESS is being developed by LP Renewables and Eku Energy.

LPRP and Eku Energy are jointly developing the Project and Eu Energy will construct, own and operate the Project.

LPRP

LPRP is an independent, Australian owned, and Australia based specialist developer of renewable energy projects, with over 40 years of experience delivering energy projects globally.  We are focussed on identifying and delivering the highest quality projects that deliver ongoing value for landowners, communities, investors and the environment.

LPRP’s core expertise are in site identification and validation, project design and development, technical and engineering assessments and securing development approvals. LPRP is a hands-on developer that is committed to engaging openly and effectively with the landholders, stakeholders and communities that will play a crucial and ongoing role in delivering our projects and enabling the energy transition.

Eku Energy

Initially established by Macquarie’s Green Investment Group, Eku Energy is jointly owned by a Macquarie Asset Management managed fund and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI). Eku Energy’s purpose-built team brings together specialist technical capabilities, with experience across origination, development, system design, power markets and software optimisation. By combining technical, digital and financial innovation with a local partnership approach and data driven understanding of markets, we develop sophisticated revenue contracting strategies that maximise the benefits of energy storage systems in any given location.

Eku Energy’s 1GWh Australian portfolio in delivery includes:

  • The 150MW / 150MWh Hazelwood BESS in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria

  • The 200MW / 400MWh Rangebank BESS in Cranbourne, Victoria

  • The 250MW / 500MWh Big Canberra Battery in Williamsdale, Australian Capital Territory