Publicly-owned energy company CleanCo Queensland has officially opened the Swanbank battery energy storage system (BESS), a 250MW/500MWh facility located at the former Swanbank coal power station site in Ipswich, Australia.
The project, located approximately 45km south-west of Brisbane, will play a major role in repurposing retired coal-fired generation infrastructure into a modern clean energy hub.
The Swanbank Battery, registered with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and commencing testing and commissioning in October 2025, has a 2-hour duration storage capacity.
The project is located at the Swanbank B site, which was originally commissioned in 1971 with four 120MW coal-fired steam turbines and decommissioned in 2012.
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By reusing existing transmission infrastructure, the Swanbank Battery has been integrated into the National Electricity Market (NEM) more quickly and cost-effectively. The system connects to the grid via a new 275kV substation, utilising the established transmission connections that previously served the coal-fired power station.
Queensland’s treasurer and minister for energy, David Janetzki, emphasised the importance of the Swanbank Battery in advancing Queensland’s energy infrastructure.
“This grid-scale battery is exactly the kind of modern infrastructure our Energy Roadmap is designed to deliver—technology that keeps the lights on, supports renewables, and strengthens reliability for Queenslanders,” Janetzki said.
“At Swanbank, we can see how batteries and gas generation work together to support system reliability, particularly during peak demand periods.”
The AU$330 million (US$214 million) project was funded through the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund. Tesla supplied its Megapack battery solution, while Yurika provided infrastructure and installation services.
CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe highlighted the project’s role in the company’s broader mission to deliver reliable, lower-emission energy.
“The Swanbank Battery is a critical addition to CleanCo’s portfolio, providing greater flexibility to supply reliable, lower-emissions energy to our customers when it’s needed most,” Metcalfe said.
“This project reflects the continued evolution of the Swanbank site, from coal to gas-fired stations and now battery storage, reinforcing CleanCo’s role in supporting Queensland’s energy system with dependable, lower-emission firming generation.”
The Swanbank site is set to become a clean energy hub, with potential future developments including wind, solar, hydrogen production and additional energy storage capacity.
The Energy Storage Summit Australia 2026 will be returning to Sydney on 18-19 March. It features keynote speeches and panel discussions on topics such as the Capacity Investment Scheme, long-duration energy storage, and BESS revenue streams. ESN Premium subscribers receive an exclusive discount on ticket prices.
To secure your tickets and learn more about the event, please visit the official website.
